The Action Peoples Party has won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the Rivers State local government election.

The Chief Election Officer of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, made this known on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The officials of the Commission and voters ran for their lives when police officers stormed Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City local government area, on Saturday.

About 21 Hilux patrol vans with heavily armed officers reportedly drove into the school which has 10 polling units.

Officials who had set up their stands were chased out of the Ward by fully armed police.

One of the policemen was heard saying, ‘”Come here, remove that vest. What are you doing here? Common move!”

The policemen, some of whom were masked, also asked the officials to remove their vest and hand it to them.

The operatives also shot teargas canister directly into the crowd of people who were running for their lives.

A policeman fired another teargas at by-standers at the entrance of the Street and residents who came out to cast their votes ran helter-skelter.

Many of RSIEC officials, voters and residents of the community ran into Boms streets in Elekahia community in confused manner, thereby creating tension in the area, as the several police patrol vans sped out of the area with many election materials.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered his men not to provide security during the election, citing a court order.

On the election eve, Governor Siminalayi Fubara had accused the IGP of taking orders from some politicians in Abuja.

He had also vowed to hold Egbetokun responsible if there is breakdown of law and order in the state.

However, the IGP denied the allegations in a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.

While declaring the results of the election on Saturday, Enebeli said the announcement was suspended in Etche Local Government Area because the results collation was ongoing.

Enebeli clarified that the result of Etche Local Government Area and the 319 councillorship positions would be announced upon conclusion of collation.

The RSIEC chairman said the election held at 6,866 units of the state and that 18 political parties participated in the process.

He commended political parties and Rivers people for their commitment to the election.

He said, “The process was smooth, safe, free, fair, credible, and transparent. The process was also successful.”

He said it was violent-free, and the most treasured council polls conducted in the state despite all odds.

He said the winners of the election are Vincent Reuben Obu – Abua/Odual, Chibudom Ezu – Ahoada-East, Mr Iyekor Ikporo – Ahoada-West, Mrs. Tonye Oniyide – Akuku-Toru, Lazarus Gogote Nteogwuile – Andoni.

Others are Dr. Sule Amachree – Asari-Toru, Dame Anengi Barasua – Bonny, Dr. Harry Agiriye – Degema, Chief Brain Gokpa – Eleme, David Omereji – Emohua.

Also, Monday Dumiye – Gokana, Israel Abosi – Ikwerre, Martins Nwigbo – Khana, Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo – Obio/Akpor, Prince Isaac Umejuru – Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ishmael Oforibika – Ogu/Bolo, Dr. Igwe Achese – Okrika, Promise Reginald – Omuma, won.

The rest are Enyiada Cookey-Gam – Opobo/Nkoro, Gift Okere – Oyigbo, Ezebunwo Ichemati – Port Harcourt, and Matthew Nenubari Dike – Tai.

The election is coming on the heels of the Federal Government’s three-month ultimatum for states to conduct local polls.

In the days leading up to the poll, the atmosphere in the state grew increasingly charged after the police announced they would not provide security for the polls, citing a court order.

The Independent National Electoral Commission was also barred from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission by a similar court injunction.

However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained resolute, vowing that the election would proceed as planned.

Despite the tensions, some of the state’s major political parties, including Fubara’s Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress did not participate in the election.

The day of the poll also came with its own drama when buildings and other property were shattered in the early explosion that shattered the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The explosion brought down the gate of the secretariat while doors, windows and other property were destroyed.