Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State advised newly elected local government chairpersons to follow his approach of patience and strategic governance during their tenure. Speaking at their swearing-in ceremony in Port Harcourt, Fubara emphasized that despite controversy surrounding the recent LGA elections, which saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) win 22 LGAs and Action Alliance (AA) win one, the matter is settled.
Fubara warned of potential confrontations awaiting the chairpersons when they resume their roles and urged them to avoid violence, prioritizing peace. He encouraged them to remain calm and patient, assuring that strategic action would lead to success in fulfilling their promises to the people.
The Rivers LGA elections were marked by gunshots, bomb explosions, and protests, with minimal police presence due to a court order that restrained security agencies from participating. Despite the tension, voter turnout was substantial across many LGAs, as the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) provided election materials without the support of the police.