In a significant political milestone, River State recently conducted a Local government election that was praised for its peaceful conduct and substantial voter turnout. Professor Lawrence, an academic and active political Stakeholder of the APC, shared his insights on the election’s importance and the unprecedented peacefulness that marked the day. Speaking candidly to our correspondent shortly after casting his vote at his polling units in his hometown Woji, he highlighted the essential role this election plays in redefining River State’s political landscape.
A Peaceful Election, Free from Law Enforcement Presence
Professor Lawrence Chukwu expressed his elation with the conduct of the election, emphasizing its calmness and lack of violence. He noted, “This is an election that redefines River State—a very necessary and crucial one. My joy today is that I have voted, and many others have done so too.” He expressed his wish for all future elections to be conducted in such a peaceful manner, stating that there was no need for a police presence. “Everywhere is calm,” he said, reiterating that the atmosphere was free from rancor, struggle, or violence.
High Voter Turnout and Collective Mobilization
Reflecting on the turnout, Professor Lawrence Chukwu was enthusiastic about the high level of participation in his constituency. He remarked, “The turnout in my own constituency is massive, especially here in Woji. We mobilized our people effectively, and I believe this effort was replicated across other areas.” He emphasized that this was a day that the people had been eagerly waiting for, and they were happy to participate in an election that was fair and represented their interests.
Challenges within Political Parties and Strategic Consensus
Professor Lawrence Chukwu also addressed the challenges facing major political parties in River State, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his own party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). He discussed how both parties faced internal conflicts that hindered their participation in the election. The PDP, he explained, had ignored a court order, while the APC was deeply factionalized. He noted that within the APC, 95% of the members in River State aligned with the Emeka Beke faction, while the National Working Committee (NWC) backed a minority faction representing only about 5%.
These challenges, according to Professor Lawrence Chukwu led his local government to adopt a consensus approach to field candidates. “In my local government, we had a consensus to fill all our candidates in the Action People’s Party (APP),” he explained. He clarified that, while he remains a member of the APC, he chose to vote for the APP candidates for both chairmanship and councilorship positions because of the consensus reached to best represent the people’s interests in light of the challenges faced by the major parties.
A Credible Election and a Governor for the People
Professor Lawrence Chukwu credited the governor of River State for making this election possible. He described the governor as someone who cares for the people and who worked hard to create a conducive environment for voting. “The governor has given us, for the first time, the opportunity to come and vote for candidates of our choice,” Chukwu said, adding, “This is the kind of governor we need, and thank God we have him.”
He praised the credibility of the election, emphasizing that there was no violence and that people freely expressed their political choices without fear. “River State has been liberated,” he said, celebrating the historic nature of the election. He mentioned how the masses had come out to vote without any incidents of violence, stating that the election was free, fair, and credible.
Looking Forward: A New Era for River State
In concluding his interview, Professor Lawrence Chukwu expressed hope for the future of River State. He sees this election as a significant step forward, not just because of its peaceful conduct but also because it demonstrates the people’s ability to exercise their democratic rights effectively. He acknowledged the challenges posed by factions and legal disputes within major parties but noted that the consensus approach adopted by his local government allowed people to vote without reservations. He emphasized, “River State will move forward; we’re actually going to move forward.”
Professor Lawrence Chukwu’s reflections capture the significance of this election as a moment of transition for River State—a moment when the people were able to unite, peacefully express their choices, and move beyond the traditional partisan conflicts that have often hindered progress. The election is seen as a benchmark for future polls, setting a standard for how elections should be conducted—not just in River State but across Nigeria.
