Rivers By-Election participation gains focus as Governor Siminalayi Fubara urges voters to remain peaceful and INEC inspects materials

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has called on eligible voters in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas to turn out for Saturday’s by-election, urging calm and lawfulness throughout the exercise.

Also read: Fubara Sacks Rivers State Commissioners After Meeting Wike and Tinubu

Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the appeal in Port Harcourt on Friday, describing the poll as a “family affair” and encouraging residents to support candidates of the All Progressives Congress.

The by-election is being conducted to fill vacant seats in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, Governor Siminalayi Fubara emphasised the need for peace.

The governor urged residents, particularly in the affected constituencies, to remain law-abiding and avoid actions capable of disrupting the democratic process.

“Everybody should be law-abiding and avoid doing anything that will disturb the peace during the exercise. It is actually a family election, and there is no need for rancour and acrimony,” Governor Siminalayi Fubara said.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command announced movement restrictions in the two local government areas from 12 noon to 6 pm on Saturday to ensure security during the vote.

The Independent National Electoral Commission confirmed that it had received and inspected sensitive materials ahead of the poll. The inspection took place at the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The exercise was led by INEC National Commissioner supervising the South-South states, Prof Rhoda Gumus, alongside Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner Prof Abayomi Salimi and INEC Commissioner from Abia State, Chukwuemeka Ibeziaku. Party agents were present during the inspection.

Rivers State INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Gabriel Yomere, explained that the materials examined included ballot papers and statutory result forms such as EC 8A, EC 8B, EC 8C and EC 8E.

“It is required by law that party agents should be here to see that these items are not tampered with before they are escorted by security agents to their respective locations,” Prof Gabriel Yomere said.

Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council and Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party in Rivers State, Benjamin Ogbobula, expressed satisfaction with the inspection process. Benjamin Ogbobula, however, urged INEC to uphold the will of the electorate during the by-election.

Also read: Rivers CJ Blocks Impeachment Panel Against Fubara

The Rivers By-Election Participation effort comes amid heightened political attention in the state, with authorities insisting that transparency and order will be decisive in maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.