The flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 9 governorship election held in Rivers, Governor Nyesom Wike has been declared winner of the poll after he sealed a second term victory by a margin of 712,405 votes; defeating his closest challenger and candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Biokpomabo Awara.
According to the final results announced on Wednesday evening by Prof. Teddy Adias, the State Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the end of collation, the PDP candidate polled a total of 886,264 votes compared to 173,859 votes garnered by the AAC candidate.
The incumbent governor won in 19 of the 23 local government areas of the state; Port Harcourt, Ikwere, Andoni, Eleme, Opobo-Nkoro, Bonny, Okirika, Omuma, Tai, Ahoada East, Emoha, Etche, Ogba/Egbema, Onelga, Ogugbolo, Obio-Akpor, Asari-Toru, Degema, Gokana and Ahoada West.
On the other hand, the AAC candidate who was backed by a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi following its inability to field a gubernatorial candidate at the polls, won in 2 local government areas; Akuku-Toru and Oyibo while election was not held in Abua/Uduah and Kana local government areas.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had, on March 10, suspended the collation of the results of the election in the state, citing electoral violence and announced a couple of days later, schedule of activities for the resumption of the exercise, with collation and announcement of results slated to hold between April 2 and April 5.
Total number of registered voters for the election was 3,048,741, accredited voters 1,130,445, valid votes cast 1,102,823, total votes cast, 1,123,840 and voided votes, 249,324.
Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq is a Journalist, Political Analyst and Satirist with major interest in Nigerian Politics, Governance and Sports.
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