By Abiola Olawale
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced its endorsement of the October 5 Rivers State Local Government election despite not endorsing any candidate for the election.
The party also declared its support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, encouraging all residents of the state to actively participate in the upcoming election on Saturday by casting their votes for their preferred candidate.
According to the party in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the October 5 local government election is in line with the constitution of Nigeria.
Ologunagba, in the statement, argued that no court has the power to stop elections in Nigeria.
The PDP also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to provide adequate security for the conduct of the election.
The statement reads in part: “The Party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and NO COURT under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has the power to stop elections.
“For avoidance of doubt, Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that “Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections, under the Act pending the determination of a suit”.
“The PDP in very strong terms condemns the attempt by the APC-controlled Police to abridge, subvert and frustrate the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election against the Will of the people, the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the express provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The reported invasion of RSIEC facilities by Police operatives allegedly to frustrate the conduct of the election is a direct affront to our democracy and the Rule of Law; an attempt which was firmly resisted by the people of Rivers State who are resolute to express their Will at the poll.
“The Police and the APC should note that the people of Rivers State are peace-loving and law-abiding but will never allow anybody by whatever means to stifle, abridge, appropriate or subvert their Will, especially in choosing who governs them, particularly at the Local Government level.
“The @OfficialPDPNig calls on Nigerians and the International Community to hold the @OfficialAPCNg and the Inspector General of Police responsible should there be any breakdown of Law and Order in Rivers State at this time.
“The Inspector General of Police @PoliceNG should note that he is duty-bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election, irrespective of where he stands as an individual. Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.
“Our Party salutes the courage and steadfastness of the people of Rivers State in their determination to defend their rights to participate in the process of electing their leaders.
“The PDP stands with the Government @SimFubaraKSC and the people of Rivers in their desire to peacefully elect representatives that will democratically run the affairs of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State in line with the provisions of the Law.”
The New Diplomat reports that the October 5 Local Government election in Rivers State has sparked massive controversies due to conflicting court judgments.
The development also comes amid palpable tension in Rivers following the raging war and supremacy battle between Fubara, the incumbent governor of Rivers, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a two-term governor of Rivers State.
The battle has escalated to the upcoming local government election as the two heavyweights fight dirty for control of the grassroots.
On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The court also barred the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.
However, in another ruling, the Federal High Court in Rivers State gave its full judicial nod to the RSIEC to proceed as scheduled with its planned conduct of local government Council election in the State.
The presiding judge, Justice I.P.C. Igwe declared that there’s no going back on the Rivers Local Government election on October 5th as scheduled.
Justice Igwe gave this while ruling on the suit instituted by the Action Peoples Party(APP).
