Protest erupts at Rivers PDP Secretariat over voter registration delays
A large group of protesters stormed the headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, raising alarms over the distribution of the 2023 Voter Register just two days ahead of the scheduled Local Government elections on October 5, 2024.
The protest triggered a rapid response from security forces to manage the crowd and mitigate traffic disruptions in the area.
Frustrations arose from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to postpone the distribution of the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). This delay follows a recent ruling by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, which prohibited INEC from releasing the register due to ongoing legal disputes.
Despite the legal setback, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has asserted that the elections will go ahead as scheduled.
He referenced a Supreme Court ruling that mandates all states to conduct elections for local government positions.
In a statewide address, Governor Fubara announced October 3 and 4 as public holidays to allow residents to prepare for the elections. He emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional mandates and ensuring democratic governance, stating that failing to hold the elections would contradict the Supreme Court’s directive against governing local councils with unelected officials.
Furthermore, Fubara implemented restrictions on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday, October 4, until 5 pm on Election Day to ensure a smooth electoral process.
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