Tension is rising in Rivers State as protesters storm the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt ahead of the local government elections set for October 5. The demonstrators, holding placards with messages like “Say no to LGA election” and “RSIEC must obey court judgment,” are protesting the election amid a legal dispute.
The protests stem from a recent federal court ruling barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voter registers for the election. Despite this, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has vowed to proceed with the election, declaring public holidays on October 3 and 4 and restricting movement across the state from Friday midnight until the election concludes on Saturday.
The local government election has become a flashpoint in the ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Both camps view the election as a test of political strength at the grassroots level.
Supporters of the PDP marched to key government offices, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Headquarters, demanding that security forces obey the court order and refrain from providing security for the election. Protesters argued that proceeding with the election would violate the court’s judgment.
Meanwhile, political tensions continue to rise, with factions of both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) announcing they will boycott the election. Critics, including Tony Okocha, leader of the APC faction, have accused Governor Fubara of violating election laws by providing only 30 days’ notice instead of the required 90 days for political parties to prepare.
Security forces have been deployed to maintain order, as uncertainty surrounds the outcome of the controversial election.
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