High voter turnout in Rivers byelection despite heavy morning rain

By Daniel Abia, Port Harcourt

On Saturday, voters in the Rivers South‑East senatorial district turned out in large numbers for the bye‑election, even though heavy rain fell for several hours in the early morning.

The election covers seven local government areas—Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Opobo and Oyigbo—to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Barry Mpigi in February.

In polling units such as B‑Dere Ward 4 in Gokana LGA, residents voted in strong numbers, showing determination to exercise their franchise despite the weather.

The rain delayed the distribution of election materials in some places, which caused a brief delay in the start of accreditation. Nevertheless, accreditation and voting eventually proceeded concurrently in most locations.

Senator Magnus Abe, chairman of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, cast his vote at Ward 16 in Bere community, Gokana LGA, at about 10:20 a.m.

After voting, Abe described the process as peaceful and expressed confidence in the overall conduct of the election.

“The election is very peaceful. There is no problem here. The weather has slowed turnout a bit, but I think it is improving. We are very confident that this exercise will be successful across the senatorial district,” he said.

He urged residents to participate in the vote and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what he called a credible process.

“You cannot sit in your house or on social media and complain without participating in the electoral process,” he added.

Despite a movement restriction imposed by the state police command from midnight on Friday, June 19 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, some commercial activities continued in parts of the state, with shops remaining open in certain areas.

In Tai LGA, the former Senator Mpigi’s home district, voters also turned out in large numbers despite the downpour. Voting reportedly began before 9 a.m., and about 30 people had voted by 11 a.m. in some units.

Stakeholder Gideon Demua praised the turnout, noting that many polling units were already occupied early for accreditation.

He also raised concerns about technical issues affecting some BVAS machines in a few units, calling on INEC to resolve the problems promptly.

In Eleme LGA, movement along the East‑West Road remained largely unaffected, with vehicles operating normally despite the restriction order. Markets in Agbonchia, Aleto and Alesa communities were closed, while security operatives conducted stop‑and‑search operations along the Trailer Park axis.

The main candidates in the bye‑election are Dr. Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA), Osarosaka Ebenezer of the APC, Sam Barikpoa of the Labour Party, and Olaka Nwogu of the PDP.

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