The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced Siminialayi Fubara, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as winner of the governorship election in Rivers State.

Returning Officer for the Governorship Election for Rivers State, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh announced this at exactly 11:13pm on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after the conclusion of collation of results for the election.

Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, who is a Professor, is the Vice Chancellor of  Federal University of Petroleum Resources, (FUPRE), Effurun, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

According to him, Fubara’s PDP polled 304,553 votes ahead of his closest rivals, Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 94,322 votes, Magnus Abe, Social Democratic Party (SDP), 39,326, Beatrice Itubo, Labour Party (LP), 6,069, and Dumo Lulu Briggs of the Accord Party, 1,676, to win the election.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, Prof. Rim-Rukeh thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring a hitch-free process, assuring that INEC would continue to do its best to improvement the electoral process.

Reacting to the announcement, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said Sim Fubara’s emergence as governor-elect is a divine orchestration, expressing gratitude to God for giving the PDP victory at the polls in the 23 local government areas of the State.

On his part, the Rivers State Governor-Elect, Siminialayi Fubara said that his victory at the polls represents the fact that the leaders and party faithful of the PDP stands for something, the unity, peace and stability of Rivers State and the consolidation of the new Rivers Vision, adding that he was predisposed to working with everyone for the progress and development of the State.