… 81-year-old grateful for the opportunity to vote

Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s minister for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and Kingsley Chinda, the member representing Obio/Akpor federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, have cast their votes in the August 30 Local Government Council Elections.

Wike voted at the polling point in unit 7, Ward 9, Rumuepirikon, Obio-Akpor LGA at about 11 000 a.m. in an election described as peaceful and well organised.

The FCT minister was accompanied by Philip Aduda, senator, and other state and party officials.

Wike said the conduct of the polls is a step towards establishing democratic rule at the grassroots in the state, adding that this is necessary as Rivers State inches towards September 18, 2025, when the state of emergency imposed by President Bola Tinubu is expected to elapse.

He commended the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for conducting a free and fair election.

Emma Okas Wike, immediate past President of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), pointed out that the local council elections allow Rivers State to strengthen democracy at the grassroots.

He urged those elected from the elections, as council chairmen and councillors, to put the interests of the electorate first in their decision-making and actions while in office.

Allswell Ogbonda Johnson, an 81-year-old retired civil servant, who voted in Ward 9, Obio/Akpor, expressed gratitude to God and the government for allowing him to perform his civic duty once more.