The Local Government Area elections in Rivers State are underway this Saturday October 5, despite a Federal High Court ruling that seemed to halt the process. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) forged ahead with the polls, amidst reports of violence, disruptions, and controversy and even armed men in police uniforms firing tear gas and seizing election materials.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had insisted that the elections would proceed, even without police security, following the withdrawal of police personnel after the court ruling.
This decision appears to be backed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who warned against allowing political interests to plunge the state into chaos. “I am aware that the local government election taking place in Rivers State today has been a subject of great interest to political actors,” Jonathan said in a statement.
“The political happenings in Rivers State in the past days are a cause for serious concern for everyone, especially lovers of democracy and all actors within the peace and security sector of our nation.“
Jonathan called on the National Judicial Commission (NJC) to curb conflicting court orders, warning that Rivers State represents the gateway to the Niger Delta and threat to peace in the state could have huge security implications in the region.
Even former Vice President Atiku Abubakar praised Gov Fubara for proceeding with the elections, describing it as a courageous defense of constitutional democracy and local government autonomy.
“The local government elections in Rivers State stand as a beacon of hope, offering renewed vigor to constitutional democracy at the very core of governance,” Atiku said in a statement.
“I commend Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his courageous leadership in ensuring local government elections are held in Rivers State.”
Chaos Over The Elections
The electoral process was disrupted in several areas, including Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses reported that armed men in police uniforms arrived in approximately 21 Hilux patrol vans, firing tear gas and seizing election materials, forcing officials of the RSIEC and voters to flee for their lives.
Similar incidents were reported in other wards, with voters and RSIEC officials fleeing.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier announced their boycott of the polls, citing the court order, but the PDP national office countered the state party organ.
The APC’s state secretariat in Port Harcourt was also attacked with explosives, prompting the party’s caretaker committee chairman, Tony Okocha, to call for federal intervention and security for party members.
“APC is under attack in Rivers State and this attack is unnecessary and uncalled for,” Okocha said. “We need security to keep us safe. It is not that we can’t unleash mayhem but we are cultured and we respect the rule of law.“
Supporters of the governor accused the APC of a false-flag bomb detonation to justify their demand for the APC-led federal government intervention in support of their power struggle against the elected governor.
The Rivers State Police Command has promised to release an official statement on the incidents, as concerns mount over the integrity of the electoral process.
The situation in Rivers State remains tense, as voters defy all intimidation to elect their councilors and LGA chairmen – the lowest constitutional tier of government in Nigeria.
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