The candidates for the chairmanship of the Labour Party (LP) in Rivers State have declared their intention to pursue legal action concerning alleged irregularities and violations that affected the local council elections held on August 30, 2025.
In a collective statement issued by Dienye Pepple (Opobo/Nkoro); Miller Ngozi Chika (Emuoha); Fidelis Ikebuluwa (Ahoada East); Charles Inko-Tarriah (Asari/Toru), and Prince Tonye Jeminimiema (Bonny), the candidates disclosed that they have directed their legal representatives to submit petitions to the relevant election tribunal established by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“As participants in the election, we hold both the legal and ethical authority to contest the irregularities and violations that tainted the election,” they asserted.
The candidates criticized a recent announcement made by a self-proclaimed “Coalition of Political Parties” regarding the election results, labeling it as deceptive and an effort to undermine the electoral integrity.
They stressed that they were neither consulted nor involved in the formulation of the statement. The candidates, who took part in the election, voiced their discontent and frustration with the coalition’s announcement, which they argue does not represent their views.
“We are not members of the aforementioned coalition, nor were we consulted, informed, or in any way engaged in the decision-making process that led to its statement,” the candidates remarked. “The coalition does not represent us. None of its members were candidates in the election held on August 30.”
IN ADDITION, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, whose candidates secured 20 chairmanship positions in the recently concluded local council elections, has pledged to collaborate with the suspended Governor Siminalyi Fubara, who is anticipated to resume office on September 18, 2025.
Though the party said that working with Fubara does not mean that if the governor deviates or delves into obnoxious acts and laws, he cannot be criticised and called to order.
The State Chairman of APC, Tony Okocha, stated this in Port Harcourt yesterday while expressing thanks to residents of the state, thenational executives of APC and President Bola Tinubu for support during the council polls.
Okocha said: “It is real that September 18 will mark exactly six months State of Emergency was declared in Rivers State and the suspension of the governor for the reason we all know, and as the six months elapse on September 18, the governor is expected to return to office. So, we will work with him.
