APC Sweeps Rivers Council Polls With 20 LGAs While PDP Secures Just Three Amid Tension And Jubilation Across The State

The political atmosphere in Rivers State was thrown into a fresh wave of drama and excitement as the results of the just-concluded local government council elections were announced, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinching a landslide victory across 20 local government areas while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) managed to secure just three councils. The outcome of the election, which was keenly contested and closely monitored both within and outside the state, has sent ripples across the political landscape, reshaping the balance of power and sending a strong message ahead of future state and national contests.

The announcement of results by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) late on Saturday sparked mixed reactions as jubilant APC supporters poured into the streets of Port Harcourt and other major towns, waving brooms, chanting victory songs, and declaring the polls as proof that Rivers people have chosen a new political direction. On the other side, PDP loyalists who have traditionally held dominance in the state were visibly shaken by the results, with some expressing disbelief while others raised questions about the credibility of the process. The council polls, often viewed as a grassroots test of political strength, were marred by allegations of intimidation, voter apathy, and heated exchanges between party agents at various polling units, yet the results showed a clear swing in favor of the APC, leaving political analysts scrambling to explain the sudden shift.

For years, Rivers State has been known as a PDP stronghold, with the party wielding enormous influence over local and state elections. The outcome of this latest council election has therefore raised eyebrows, especially given the overwhelming margin of APC’s victory. Political commentators argue that the result may not be unconnected to recent developments within the state, including the growing divisions in the PDP, the wave of defections, and the strategic grassroots mobilization carried out by the APC in the buildup to the polls. Some see it as a direct reflection of discontent among the electorate, who appear to be seeking new leadership structures at the local government level after years of PDP dominance.

At the RSIEC collation center in Port Harcourt, where tension ran high, the announcement of each LGA result was met with loud cheers from APC agents and supporters who kept chanting slogans in support of their candidates. The PDP representatives, however, were less enthusiastic, with some rejecting the figures outright, insisting that the results did not reflect what transpired at the polling units. Calls for transparency grew louder as PDP leaders threatened to challenge the outcome in court, citing irregularities and alleging that security operatives provided more protection to APC strongholds while some PDP-dominated areas were allegedly left vulnerable to disruptions. Despite the protests, RSIEC maintained that the election was free, fair, and credible, insisting that the people’s voice had been heard loud and clear.

The streets of Port Harcourt, Bonny, and other towns were alive with spontaneous celebrations by APC supporters, many of whom described the victory as a long-awaited liberation. In some areas, fireworks lit up the night sky while convoys of youths rode on motorcycles and vehicles waving party flags. “This is a new dawn for Rivers State,” an excited supporter shouted, waving his broom in jubilation. “We have spoken with our votes, and nothing can change it. PDP’s time is over.” Such sentiments were echoed by APC leaders who addressed crowds, hailing the victory as a mandate from the people to transform governance at the local level. They promised to bring accountability, transparency, and grassroots development, assuring residents that the era of abandoned projects and poor leadership at the council level had ended.

For the PDP, the outcome was a bitter pill to swallow. The party, which managed to secure only three local government areas, is now grappling with internal crises as questions of loyalty and strategy dominate discussions among its leadership. Some insiders hinted that the party’s failure to put its house in order contributed significantly to the poor outing, as defections and in-fighting weakened its base. Others argued that voter apathy, fueled by disillusionment and dissatisfaction with the PDP-led local governments, paved the way for the APC’s sweeping victory. Party chieftains have, however, vowed to regroup, rebuild, and challenge the results where necessary, insisting that Rivers State remains their stronghold and that the setback is only temporary.

Observers are already linking the outcome of the council polls to the bigger picture of Rivers politics ahead of 2027. The APC’s victory in 20 LGAs has been described as a momentum booster that could tilt future governorship and legislative contests in their favor. It also raises questions about the influence of key political figures in the state, particularly former governor Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whose leadership and political strategies will now come under scrutiny. For many, the APC’s success represents not just a win at the grassroots but a sign of changing tides in one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states.

Reactions have also trailed the conduct of the security agencies during the polls, with civil society organizations calling for a probe into reports of intimidation and unequal deployment of security personnel. Election observers noted that while the process was generally peaceful compared to previous elections in the state, incidents of ballot box snatching and voter harassment were recorded in a few areas, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. RSIEC, however, dismissed these concerns as isolated incidents, maintaining that they did not affect the overall credibility of the election.

As the dust begins to settle, Rivers residents are left to ponder what the outcome means for them at the grassroots level. Local government councils, though often overlooked, play a critical role in community development, primary healthcare, basic education, and rural infrastructure. The APC’s promise of change and progress will now be put to the test, as the people eagerly await to see if the new council leadership will deliver on campaign promises or fall into the same patterns that have characterized local governance in the past.

Meanwhile, political pundits warn that the PDP’s survival in Rivers will depend largely on how quickly it addresses internal crises and reconnects with its grassroots supporters. The three LGAs it secured may serve as a base to rebuild, but without genuine reforms and unity, the party risks losing further ground to an increasingly aggressive APC determined to consolidate its new gains.

For now, the atmosphere in Rivers remains charged, with APC basking in the glow of its massive victory and PDP plotting its next move. The council election, though local in scope, has opened up a fresh chapter in the state’s political narrative, signaling that nothing can be taken for granted in the ever-shifting dynamics of Nigerian politics. Whether this outcome marks the beginning of a long-term realignment or simply a temporary political upset, one thing is certain: the political heartbeat of Rivers State has just skipped in a way that will be felt far beyond its borders.