Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has affirmed that the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, will go ahead as planned, stating that no legal obstacles stand in the way of the process. He urged political parties, candidates, and voters to stay committed as preparations for the elections continue.
Governor Fubara made the announcement after inspecting the Trans-Kalabari Road project and visiting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters, where he met with RSIEC chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli. Fubara assured the public that security measures are in place to ensure the election runs smoothly.
“Our election will hold on the 5th of October, 2024,” he said. “RSIEC has an order to conduct the election, and security agencies are mandated to support the process. I believe this election will be one of the best and fairest ever conducted in Rivers State.”
Addressing reports of potential disruptions, Fubara issued a stern warning to individuals planning to interfere with RSIEC’s work, emphasizing that the state’s interest comes first.
This statement comes amid conflicting court rulings. On Monday, a Federal High Court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to RSIEC, and prohibited security agencies from supporting the election. However, an earlier ruling from a High Court in Port Harcourt had directed RSIEC to use the 2023 voters’ register for the upcoming polls.
RSIEC has already acquired the voters’ register from INEC, and Governor Fubara remains confident the elections will proceed as scheduled.
