Contrary to the warning by the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the state governor, Sim Fubara not to conduct the local government elections on Saturday, the national leadership of the PDP has dissociated itself from its state chapter urging electorates to turn out en masse for the election.
The state chapter of the PDP which is aligned with the former governor of the state and current minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, had argued that conducting the election was illegal based on the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The police also said they will not take part in the election and made attempts early morning on Friday to take over the Secretariat of the State electoral commission, which was thwarted by the governor.
The governor reportedly stormed the facility with members of the state and federal lawmakers and other appointees of government to drive away the police and miscreants who invaded the commission’s office.
Fubara had insisted the election would hold even though the state PDP under the control of Wike had pulled out with the governor’s loyalists moving to the Action Peoples Party (APP) where they would contest the council polls.
Sensing that the PDP would be the loser, the national leadership of the PDP in a statement on Friday, eve of the council polls, urged voters to go and vote and not boycott the election as being canvassed by the state chapter of the party.
The statement by the spokesman of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said the PDP “charges the people of Rivers State to firmly assert their sovereignty and Constitutional right by coming out enmasse to vote in the Saturday, October 5, 2024 Local Government Area election across the State.”
The party insisted that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the State and such right, including participation in Local Government Area election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organisation under any guise whatsoever.
The party maintained that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had 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 power to stop elections, the party stated.
It further said, “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 term condemned 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).”
It said 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.”
It added that 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 PDP called on Nigerians and the International Community to hold the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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, it said, 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,” the statement said.
“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 Sim Fubara and 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,” it emphasised.