Mixed Reactions Trail Rivers PDP Councillorship Primaries

Mixed reactions have trailed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Councillorship primaries held on Monday across 21 local government areas of Rivers State.

This follows a protest by some party faithfuls from Akuka-Toru  Local Government Area following the outcome of the elections.

The aggrieved party faithfuls who marched to the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt led by some of the aspirants from wards 3,4,11 and 12 in the area alleged that there were no elections in their wards.

A councillorship aspirant, Mr Atiegaba Jack alleged that there was no election in his ward and wondered where the result came from.

The same view was expressed by Amasisi Monima Dumo of Ward 12 who claimed that some party chieftains from the area hijacked the election materials.

However, Mr. Omuboye Briggs and Ibiba Agava from the area dismissed such claims saying elections were conducted in the area and results not declared.

The aggrieved party faithfuls called on the chairman of the party in the state, including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to investigate shortcomings in the primaries.

Meanwhile, some wards monitored by The Tide during the primaries in Port Harcourt elections did not commence till about 4pm, as party members waited late for arrival of officials and electoral materials.

In Ward 17, Sacred Heart Primary School, Diobu, elections commenced about 4.30pm with accreditation of party members.

After the accreditation that lasted for one hour, party faithful, who were cleared were allowed to queued behind their preferred aspirants.

In Andoni Local Government Area, chairman of the PDP Hon. Victor Ere told newsmen that a consencus was reached by the aspirants in all the wards, except ward  one  ward eight, ward 11 in Ataba.

Ere stated that the primaries were conducted in three wards and the elections were free from violence.

The PDP chairman commended party members for conducting themselves orderly and accepting the outcomes of the elections irrespective who were declared.

Consequently, a traditional ruler in Andoni, His Royal Highness Chief Israel Otuo, has hailed last Monday PDP primaries in the area as peaceful.

The royal father lauded both officials and party members for being law abiding during the period of the primaries.

Enoch Epelle