As expected, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced all coalition candidates as winners of the August 30 Local Government polls in the state.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) swept the election with 20 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its counterpart in the coalition managed to win only three LGAs.
The Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State is an alliance of factions of the APC and PDP in the state loyal to the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike. Unfortunately too, with this result, PDP, the ruling party in the state and the minister’s official party has become the junior partner in the alliance.
According to the results released by RSIEC on Sunday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, APC clinched victory in 20 local government areas, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the three LGAs of Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
Political observers in the state say results of the council polls paint a picture of careful political calibration and reflects a pre-determined sharing formula orchestrated by Wike’s political camp to assuage President Bola Tinubu as count down to 2027 general elections begins.
Mr Theo Egbe, a Port Harcourt based Political Commentator told Thescale.com.ng on phone that Minister Wike’s permutation is to be the winner, head or tail. “The combined votes of the three LGAs of PHALGA, Obio/Akpor and ONELGA are more than the other 20 LGAs put together.”
However, the conspicuous absence of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his loyalists during the polls last Saturday was very noticeable and raises dust over the peace deal between the estranged political godfather and son.
Despite initial assurances that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara would cast his vote in Ward 5, Opobo/Nkoro LGA, he neither appeared at the polling unit nor returned to his hometown for the exercise. Sources confirmed that he travelled to London ahead of the election.
His key allies, including Chief of Staff Edison Ehie, Secretary to the State Government Tammy Danagogo, and the sacked 23 council chairmen, were also missing in action. Members of the “Simplified Movement,” a socio-political group loyal to Fubara were absent from voting centres across the state.
This boycott further underlined the deep cracks within Rivers’ political establishment. While Wike’s Renewed Hope Agenda bloc celebrated, Fubara’s silence cast uncertainty over his future relevance in the state’s political equation.
The LGA elections, though local in scope, have national reverberations. With Wike’s faction sweeping nearly the entire state, the polls cement his dominance ahead of the lifting of emergency rule in September, when Fubara and the State Assembly are expected to be restored.
The just-concluded local government polls have reaffirmed what many already suspected: Rivers State politics remains firmly in the grip of Nyesom Wike. While the APC may have formally taken 20 LGAs, it is Wike’s enduring political machine that is the true winner.
Find below details of the polls results as announced by RSIEC on Sunday August 31, 2025
RIVERS 2025 LG ELECTIONS
OFFICIAL RESULT
1. Abua/Odual LGA – APC
CHAIRMAN Elect: Ofori Owolabi
Votes: 28755
Vice Chairman Elect: Abunu Victoria
2. Ahoada East – APC
Chairman elect: Solomon Achoma
Votes: 54,509
Vice Chairman elect: Florence Ndukwu
3. Ahoada West – APC
Chairman Elect: Eugene Ebele Cheta
Votes: 84125
Vice Chairman elect: Josephine Uba
4. Akuku Toru: APC
Chairman Elect: Bob Fubarab A.
Votes: 63593
Vice Chairman elect: Wariagbani George
5. Andoni- APC
Chairman Elect: Otua Loveday Promise
Votes: 126,181
Vice Chairman elect: Ezekiel Raphael Adebani
6. Asari Toru LGA- APC
Chairman Elect: George Onengiyeofori
Votes: 56383
Vice Chairman elect: Deborah Amos Bobmanuel
7. Bonny LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Pepple Abinye Blessing
Votes: 30543
Vice Chairman elect: Ibimieye Alagbari
8. Degema LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Michael George Williams
Votes: 61536
Vice Chairman elect: Harry Maureen
9. Eleme LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Obarilomate Ollor
Votes: 77452
Vice Chairman elect: Beauty Eke
10. Emohua LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Lloyd Chidi Julius
Votes: 114308
Vice Chairman Elect: Amadi Vilian Obiageri
11. Etche LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Njoku Boniface Chima
Votes: 100649
Vice Chairman elect: Obele Faith
12. Gokana LGA – APC
Chairman elect: Deborah Confidence
Votes: 96478
Vice Chairman Elect: Kpobari Epsibari
13. Ikwerre LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Wobodo Charles
Votes: 62746
Vice chairman elect: Kinika Ethel Chidi
14. Khana LGA – APC
Chairman elect: Thomas Bariere
Votes: 156027
Vice chairman elect: Ngbere Mpigi
15. Obio/Akpor LGA – PDP
Chairman elect: Dr. Gift Onyinye Wodo
Votes: 328823
Vice chairman elect: Dr. Mrs.
Gloria Joyce Nyeche
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni – PDP
Chairman Elect: Chukwu Shedrach Ogbodo
Votes: 51051
Vice Chairman elect: Dr. Happiness Nwokocha
17. Ogu/Bolo LGA- APC
Chairman elect: Vincent Nimieboka
Votes: 36374
Vice chairman: Alabo Eunice
18. Okrika LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Akuro Alfred Tobin
Votes: 32285
Vice Chaiman elect: Obulubo Charity
19. Omuma LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: Obasi Uchechukwu
Votes: 38530
Vice Chairman elect: Achiri Faustina Joy
20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – APC
Chairman Elect: James A. James
Votes: 34822
Vice Chairman elect: Jacks Gladys
21. Oyigbo LGA – APC
Chairman elect: Okechukwu Akarao Nwogu
Votes: 101495
Vice Chairman elect: Okorie Ngozi Juliana
22. . Port Harcourt – PDP
Chairman elect: Sir Allwell Ihunda
Votes: 235054
Vice chairman elect: Tom Quinn Mina Mildred
23. Tai LGA – APC
Chairman elect: Okwe Mbakpone
Votes: 70080
Vice Chairman elect: Caroline Amawa
