Rivers South-East By-Election: Polls Open in Seven LGAs

Electoral proceedings have officially commenced across the seven local government areas that constitute the Rivers South-East Senatorial District, where a by-election is currently underway. The affected LGAs include Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo-Nkoro, and Oyigbo. This special election aims to fill the senatorial seat left vacant following the passing of Senator Barry Mpigi, who previously represented the district and died in February.

Reports from our correspondent indicate a significant turnout of voters at B-Dere Ward 4 in Gokana LGA, an area encompassing 21 polling units. However, heavy rainfall experienced on Saturday morning caused delays in the distribution of election materials to several wards, leading to a late start for accreditation in certain parts of the district. Despite this, accreditation and voting later proceeded concurrently in these affected locations.

Senator Magnus Abe, who chairs the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, cast his vote at approximately 10:20 am at Ward 16 in Bera, his hometown within Gokana LGA. Speaking after performing his civic duty, Senator Abe described the electoral process as peaceful and expressed confidence in its overall conduct. He stated, “The election is very peaceful. There is no problem here. The weather has slowed turnout a bit, but I think the weather is improving and the turnout is also improving. So we are very confident that this exercise will be very successful across the Senatorial District.”

Abe further implored residents of the Rivers South-East district to actively participate in the voting process, while also commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its level of preparedness. He emphasized, “You cannot sit in your house and complain. You cannot sit on social media and be complaining and then when it is time to do the hard work as a citizen you fail to do it. So my appeal to all men and women of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District is to come out en masse and participate in this exercise. It is peaceful, it is fair and it is clearly transparent. I want to commend INEC for what they have put together.”

Meanwhile, despite a movement restriction imposed by the state police command from midnight Friday until 6 pm on Saturday, some commercial establishments and shops were observed operating in various parts of the state. In Tai LGA, the home local government of the late Senator Barry Mpigi, voters braved the early morning rain to cast their ballots. Voting began before 9 am, and by 11 am, roughly 30 individuals had been accredited and voted in some polling units.

Gideon Demua, a prominent stakeholder in Tai LGA, praised the impressive voter turnout despite the heavy downpour. However, he highlighted challenges encountered with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). Demua remarked, “The enthusiasm of the electorate is amazing. By 7:15 am, almost all the Units were occupied for accreditation. Materials arrived on time, and you can see the massive turnout in all the Units. People are voting. The challenges we are having are with the B-VAS. We are having network issues, technical issues in one or two units. We expect INEC to live up to expectations.”

In Eleme LGA, the restriction on movement appeared to have minimal impact, as heavy-duty vehicles, cars, and tricycles were seen freely plying the East-West Road. While markets in Agbonchia, Aleto, and Alesa communities remained closed, police officers were stationed to conduct stop-and-search operations along the Trailer Park axis. Minor vehicular activity was also noted in specific areas of Eleme and Tai LGAs.