Port Harcourt was a hive of activity on Friday as residents crowded major markets and motor parks in preparation for Saturday’s Local Government Elections.
At Mile 1, Mile 3, and Creek Road markets, hundreds of shoppers hurried to buy foodstuffs, stocking up ahead of the 17-hour restriction of movement announced by State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju. The restriction begins at midnight Friday and ends 6 p.m. Saturday.
Motor parks at Abali and Waterlines were also packed with families carrying luggage as they set out for their hometowns to cast their votes. While many expressed enthusiasm, others voiced mixed feelings about the polls, especially given the ongoing emergency rule in the state.
The heightened activity followed a directive from the State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who declared Friday a half-workday for civil servants to enable timely travel ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has assured voters of a credible and transparent process. Speaking in Port Harcourt, RSIEC Chairman, Michael Odey, said the commission had worked tirelessly to ensure every vote counts.
“RSIEC will remain impartial, transparent, and professional in discharging its mandate,” Odey stressed. “We have put mechanisms in place to guarantee that results reflect the true will of Rivers people. Your vote is your voice—let it count.”
He urged voters to turn out early with their Permanent Voter Cards and called on political actors to shun violence. “Elections are not a do-or-die affair but a contest of ideas. Let us ensure tomorrow’s exercise is marked by peace, fairness, and civic pride,” he added.
Sensitive and non-sensitive materials have already been distributed across the state’s 23 local government areas. At RSIEC headquarters on Aba Road, ad-hoc staff were finalising logistics and verifying postings as presiding and supervising officers.
On result collation, Odey clarified that while votes will be counted at local government collation centres, winners will only be formally declared at the RSIEC headquarters.
“The declaration of winners follows due process and will be handled strictly at the Commission’s headquarters,” he said.
