The Local Government Area (LGA) election in Rivers State is holding as scheduled today, Saturday, June 16, across the 23 council areas of the state.

The exercise which is expected to last between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm will usher in elected chairmen, vice chairmen as well as councillors in the various local governments.

In Khana – one of the LGAs visited by Channels Television crew, the exercise commenced early as electoral materials were distributed at the Police Station Field in Bori community.

Similarly, officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) arrived the venue of the exercise in Ikwere LGA to conduct the election.

While security operatives are also at the venues, candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as those from other political parties are getting set for the exercise.

Accreditation and voting commenced in some wards with both processes happening simultaneously while the exercise has already begun in most LGAs.

Meanwhile, electoral materials have been moved to the riverine communities, including those in Degema LGA by the RSIEC officials in the company with security operatives.

The communities comprise of Bakana which has six wards (Ward 1 – 6); Tombia which has four wards (Ward 7, 8, 9, and 10).

Others are Bukuma which is Ward 15; Bille – Ward 16; as well as Ogurama and Ké which share Ward 17.

The caretaker chairman of Degema LGA, Mr Boma Dappa, confirmed to Channels Television that the electoral materials were safely moved to his hometown in Bille.

While voting is ongoing in Khana LGA, the exercise has also started at Unit 7 Ward 9 of Obio/Akpor LGA, where the state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, is expected to cast his vote.

The process of the exercise in some local governments is captured in the photos below;

https://www.naijanewspapers.com.ng/2018/06/rivers-state-holds-local-government-elections-live-updates/

Is there any need? Rivers is PDP soaked and Wike is a grassroots man