The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, believes the conduct of the Rivers local government elections is a step closer to the end of emergency rule in the coastal state.

Wike spoke on Saturday in Rumepirikom, Ward 9, Unit 007, Obio/Akpo Local Government Area of the state after voting in the Rivers council elections.

“So, having done this, then the coast is clear for the state of emergency to be lifted, meaning that the local government has representatives, the state government has its own elected representatives, so we are good to go,” he told the press after exercising his franchise.

“I do know that by September 18, the state of emergency will expire, and that would mean that the state governor and state assembly will come back to their job, and we will have a government at the grassroots level,” the former governor of the state said.

He equally hailed the conduct of the elections and described it as peaceful.

“I am very happy. It means that people identify with the elections,” Wike, who was surrounded by supporters, said, dismissing concerns about voter apathy.

“You have not heard of any violence. You have not heard of [people] carrying ballot boxes. You see that the electoral materials are there. People are there casting their votes. As far as we are concerned, the elections are very peaceful.

“Of course, we are concerned [about low turnout], but people are trooping out. Before the elections close, you will see the number of persons [increase]. So, we are very happy that, at the end of the day, these elections have been conducted very peacefully and successfully.”

The conduct of the elections came six months after the Supreme Court nullified a previous one conducted out by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the South-South state, citing rising tensions over a months-long political impasse between Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, which had defied peace moves.

He suspended Fubara; his deputy, Ngozi Oduh, and members of the Rivers State Assembly in March for a period of six months.

In their stead, he named a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), to run the state for six months.

Weeks after the move, Fubara, Wike, some key members of the Rivers Assembly, met with President Tinubu.

At the end of the gathering, the FCT minister told reporters that the parties had settled their issues. (Channels TV)