Uncertainty envelopes the political landscape in Rivers State as stakeholders maintained different stands on the scheduled local government election expected to take place today across council areas in the state.
Interestingly, supporters of the PDP – elected Governor Fubara are contesting on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP) while the PDP is divided on what to do, giving conflicting directives to members.
At the national level, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charged the people of Rivers State to firmly assert their sovereignty and constitutional right by coming out enmasse to vote in today’s local government area election across the state.
The PDP insisted that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the state and such right, including participation in Local Government Area election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any guise whatsoever.
The NWC through the National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba in a statement on Friday maintained that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and no court under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has power to stop elections.
“For avoidance of doubt, Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that “Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections, under the Act pending the determination of a suit”.
“The PDP in very strong term condemns the attempt by the APC-controlled Police to abridge, subvert and frustrate the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election against the Will of the people, the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the express provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The reported invasion of RSIEC facilities by Police operatives allegedly to frustrate the conduct of the election is a direct affront to our democracy and the Rule of Law; an attempt which was firmly resisted by the people of Rivers State who are resolute to express their Will at the poll.
“The Police and the APC should note that the people of Rivers State are peace-loving and law-abiding but will never allow anybody by whatever means to stifle, abridge, appropriate or subvert their Will especially in choosing who governs them, particularly at the Local Government level.
“The PDP calls on Nigerians and the International Community to hold the APC and the Inspector General of Police responsible should there be any breakdown of Law and Order in Rivers State at this time.”
The party urged Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to note that “he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual. Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.”
Our Party saluted the courage and steadfastness of the people of Rivers State in their determination to defend their rights to participate in the process of electing their leaders.
“The PDP stands with the Government and people of Rivers in their desire to peacefully elect representatives that will democratically run the affairs of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State in line with the provisions of the Law,” the statement added.
Even members of the National Assembly caucus of PDP are solidly behind the decision of the NWC that the party should go ahead participating in today’s election as sxheduled.
A member of the House of Representatives caucus, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere on Friday went ahead to arouse the conscience of PDP governors to rally round Fubara.
The lawmaker said the PDP governors should boldly stand with their Rivers State colleague, Siminalayi Fubara, whom he said had displayed great courage to defend democracy at all costs.
Ugochinyere who posted on his X handle on Friday, said: “serious opposition Governors would have flown to Rivers State right now and be seen with Governor Fubara side by side as show of strong solidarity.
“The right of Rivers people to vote is under attack from federal agents and you are drinking tea. Please stop making opposition look like jokers. Let the PDP and opposition Governors fly down to Rivers State, and boldly stand with Governor Fubara who has displayed great courage to defend democracy at all costs. Those at the gate of democracy in Rivers will soon lunch attack on your states, and what you do today can make or mar our democracy.
“The alleged failed attempt by police officers to run away with electoral materials for the LGA election is a treasonable action, that requires strong condemnation and solidarity from opposition Governors. Show that you are indeed leaders of this party for once as not adults scared of pro-Wike’s group’s rantings. #Rivers LGA election is going on.”
However, shockingly enough was the call yesterday by the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on the state governor, Siminialayi Fubara, to obey court order which restricted the conduct of local government elections in the state.
The Rivers PDP went ahead to warn the governor of the consequences of disobeying the Federal High Court judgment outlawing the conduct of October 5, local government elections.
The PDP said that nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections that deviated from the court’s judgment.
The state chairman of the party, Chukwuemeka Aaron, stressed that participating in or conducting elections contrary to the court’s judgment would be unlawful.
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He urged citizens to disregard any announcements calling for local government elections on October 5, citing a Federal High Court judgment that halted the poll.
Aaron restated the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, adding that the RSIEC and the State government could not choose which court orders to obey or ignore, calling on Rivers state governor, a PDP member, to comply fully with the court’s judgment.
“The PDP, having reviewed all the cases relating to the local government elections, concludes as follows: we cannot support or promote lawlessness, or impunity in any forms whatsoever even though we are the ruling party in Rivers state.
“The proper court judgment must be obeyed as we cannot choose which order of the court to obey and not to obey.
“We, therefore call on the Rivers State Governor who incidentally is a member of our great party the PDP to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with our character and ethics of our party, the PDP and suspend the planned October 5 Local Government elections in Rivers State,” he said.
The Saturday Times gathered that there is a directive from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to withdraw their services in respect of the court order putting the election on hold.
Another twist to the whole issue was early Friday invasion of the office if RSIEC in Port – Harcourt by persons believed to be policemen in a bid to distract the electoral body from any concluding arrangement to go ahead with the poll.
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