The local government elections in Rivers State faced delays on Saturday morning, with many polling units lacking both voting materials and officials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
At polling stations in areas like Rumuokwuta, Oromineke/Ezimbu, and Command School in GRA Port Harcourt, there was no presence of RSIEC staff or voting materials by 8:55 a.m., and the locations remained closed with no signs of activity.
Voters were seen looking at their names on the voter registers posted on the walls, but no officials or materials were available to start the election process.
In the meantime, some local youths used the quiet streets, due to restricted movement, to play spontaneous football games.
Despite the movement restrictions, a few vehicles were still passing through areas like Rumuola, Rumueme, and Rumuokwuta without any roadblocks or noticeable security presence.
The Rivers LG election has been clouded by controversy, with both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opting to boycott the polls, citing a court ruling.
While the atmosphere remains calm, there is a sense of anticipation as residents wait to see what happens next.
Meanwhile, supporters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, staged a peaceful protest near the Polio Club in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Port Harcourt, opposing the ongoing LG elections in Rivers State.
