Protest rocks Rivers PDP Secretariat over LG Poll
Members of the People Democratic Party in Rivers State Thursday trooped out in their numbers at the Party’s Secretariat demanding clarity and transparency ahead of the Local Government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.
The demonstration drew a large crowd, prompting swift action from security operatives to restore order and manage traffic disruptions in the surrounding area.
Recently a Federal High Court ruling, dated September 30, 2024 by Justice Peter Lifu in Abuja prevented INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC, citing ongoing legal disputes.
This ruling has sparked outrage, with many concerned that it could hinder the legitimacy of the upcoming election.
The unrest stems from increasing frustrations over the delay in releasing the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). Protesters expressed their concerns about the potential impact on the integrity of the upcoming election.
A protester voiced his frustration saying: “We cannot have a credible election without the voters’ register. This delay is unacceptable!”
The protest underscores the rising tension in the state, as voters fear that any further delays or obstacles could derail the entire electoral process.
One of the protesters said: “The Court’s decision is worrying. How can we proceed with an election when the very foundation, the voters’ register, is being withheld?”
Despite the growing unrest and legal hurdles, Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains adamant that the election will proceed as planned. In a statement, Governor Fubara expressed his confidence in the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, which mandated that all states must have democratically elected local government executives.
Fubara declared:
“The law is clear. The Supreme Court has ruled that Local Government elections must take place, and I assure the people of Rivers State that this election will hold.” His remarks were seen as an attempt to calm fears, but many in Rivers State remain on edge as the October 5 election day looms, with uncertainty surrounding the release of the voters’ register.
In another development, Chris Nkwonta, representing Abia’s Ukwa East/Ukwa West federal constituency, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced during plenary on Wednesday, October 2, sparking cheers from APC lawmakers. However, Deputy Minority leader Aliyu Madaki protested, citing Section 68 of the Constitution, which requires a party crisis for defection.
