RSIEC goes ahead with Rivers LG polls
Rivers LG Elections Proceed Amid PDP Opposition and Police Withdrawal
The much-anticipated local government election in Rivers State is proceeding as scheduled today, October 5, 2024, despite calls from stakeholders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the process to be halted. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has made it clear that the election will go on as planned, despite the challenges raised by the withdrawal of the Nigeria Police Force from supervising the event.
Election materials, both sensitive and non-sensitive, have already arrived at various Registration and Accreditation Centers (RACs) across local government areas, including notable locations like the Government Technical College in Ahoada East. The distribution of these materials signals that the process is in full swing, even though the political atmosphere in the state has been somewhat tense.
The state has taken on the characteristic quietness of a typical election day, with significantly less road traffic and a subdued mood among residents. However, a notable difference is the absence of the usual heavy presence of the Nigeria Police Force, a factor that has raised concerns about the security of the election.
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Governor Fubara, speaking on Friday, reaffirmed his commitment to move forward with the election, expressing frustration over the decision by the Rivers State Police Command to withdraw from overseeing the process. He accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of trying to manipulate the election in favor of what he described as “an Abuja-based politician,” insinuating interference from outside forces.
Despite these allegations and concerns, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has maintained its stance that the election will proceed as planned. RSIEC officials have encouraged Rivers residents to exercise their voting rights and participate in the local government elections in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, reiterating their confidence in the process despite the setbacks.
Meanwhile, the PDP has continued to call for security to be provided, expressing concerns about the potential impact of the Nigeria Police Force’s withdrawal on the integrity of the elections.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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