Latest news on rivers election

You're referring to the recent election in Rivers State, Nigeria! Here's a summary of the latest news:

Election Results: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in Rivers State. Wike polled 814,793 votes to defeat his closest rival, Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who got 361,645 votes.

Controversies and Challenges: The election was marred by reports of violence, ballot box snatching, and voter intimidation. The APC had earlier accused the PDP of rigging the election, while the PDP accused the APC of trying to disrupt the process. The INEC had to suspend the election in some areas due to the violence.

Reactions: The APC has rejected the results, calling for a rerun election. The party's governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, has vowed to challenge the outcome in court. The PDP, on the other hand, has hailed Wike's victory as a testament to the party's popularity in the state.

Security Concerns: The Rivers State government has deployed security personnel to maintain law and order in the state, following reports of planned protests and violence by some groups. The police have also arrested several individuals suspected of being involved in the violence that marred the election.

International Reactions: The international community has been monitoring the situation in Rivers State. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all called for calm and urged all parties to respect the outcome of the election.

Next Steps: The INEC has announced that it will conduct a supplementary election in some areas where the election was suspended due to violence. The APC has vowed to challenge the outcome in court, while the PDP is preparing to take office. The situation remains tense, with both parties accusing each other of trying to disrupt the peace.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story!