The Governor of Rivers State has confirmed that the local government election scheduled for October 5 will proceed as planned, despite protests from various political factions. The governor emphasized the importance of a peaceful electoral process and warned against any disruptions.
While some political groups have raised concerns and decided to withdraw from the election due to alleged irregularities, others, including a faction of the All Progressives Congress, have confirmed their participation.
Legal actions have been taken by different parties regarding the election, leading to temporary injunctions and restrictions on security agencies’ involvement. However, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission remains committed to conducting the election.
Protests have taken place in the state against the election, with prominent politicians and supporters expressing their opposition. Despite the challenges, the governor reiterated the necessity of complying with the Supreme Court ruling requiring elected officials for local governments.
The governor expressed frustration over the resistance to the election and questioned why Rivers State faced unique challenges compared to other states in the country. He also raised concerns about external influences fueling unrest.
In a separate development, lawmakers loyal to a former governor opposed the upcoming election, calling for its suspension in compliance with court orders. The Assembly highlighted the importance of upholding the rule of law in electoral processes.