KEY POINTS
- The PDP advises Nigeria Police not to meddle in the Rivers Local Government poll.
- Even though Wike’s followers are against the election, Governor Fubara is adamant that it will go forward.
- PDP calls on voters to go up to the polls and defend their constitutional rights.
The Nigeria Police have received a strong warning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to sabotage democracy during Saturday’s Local Government Area (LGA) elections in Rivers State. The party also urged Rivers State residents to fully engage in the voting process.
Rising political unrest in the state of rivers
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara reiterated on Thursday that the LGA election will go off as scheduled, over mounting opposition from followers of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Fubara warned against any attempts to tamper with the election process.
With PDP members who support Wike and an All Progressives Congress (APC) section lead by Chief Tony Okocha pulling out of the poll, tensions have increased.
They withdrew citing anomalies and reservations about the actions of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). Fubara responded by accusing Wike and the Nigeria Police of working together to sabotage the poll.
PDP urges voters to stand up for their rights.
The people of Rivers State are prepared for the election, the PDP reaffirmed through Debo Ologunagba, national publicity secretary.
Ologunagba stated that RSIEC had verified that it was prepared to hold the elections, including having the required supplies ready. According to Punch, he stressed that no court could stop the election process in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2022.
“The people of Rivers State should assert their constitutional right by coming out en masse to vote in the LGA election on Saturday, October 5,” Ologunagba stated.
He emphasized that no group or individual could deny the people of Rivers State their right to peacefully participate in democratic processes.
In addition, the PDP urged Nigerians and the world community to hold the APC and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun responsible for any disruptions to law and order that may have occurred during the poll. Moreover, Ologunagba called recent police actions, including the purported assault of RSIEC facilities, an affront to democracy and the rule of law and accused the APC-controlled police of trying to sabotage the election.
Ensuring a fair and orderly election
Regardless of political allegiance, the PDP urged the Inspector General of Police to guarantee a safe environment for the election.
“The Inspector General of Police must act professionally to uphold the stability of our democracy and ensure the smooth conduct of the LGA election,” said Ologunagba.
Ologunagba also expressed his admiration for the people of Rivers State’s tenacity and resolve in defending their right to take part in the democratic process.
Furthermore, the PDP declared that it would assist the Rivers administration and people in their efforts to peacefully choose representatives for each of the state’s 23 Local administration Areas.
