…Asks Rivers people to be peaceful
Omiete Joseph
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has stated that the conduct of Local Government elections in Nigeria is statutorily for the states not Federal Government.
The governor assured that Rivers State will participate in the ongoing democratic transition at the grassroots in the country, by conducting local government elections in the 23 LGAs of the state on Saturday October 5, 2024.
Governor Fubara disclosed this on Thursday, while addressing Rivers, leaders, elders and supporters at a stakeholders meeting held at Government House Port Harcourt.
The governor said the Local Government polls is irreversible despite the non participation of his party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that preparations have been put in place for the smooth conduct of a peaceful, and credible elections in the State.
“You know in this election, I am the greatest loser, as my party is not participating. But because of the Supreme Court ruling, that there must be elected officials to manage the affairs of the local government, as a governor, I have to obey that.”
He commended the stakeholders in the State for supporting democracy and ensuring that there is rule of law as well as standing to make sure that Rivers State still stands among the comity of States in the country.
Governor Fubara pointed out that ten states have conducted local government elections with the 2023 voters register and none of them received further register from INEC, but wonders why Rivers case is always different when it comes to the law of the federation.”
The governor noted that it has become imperative to conduct the election in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court which insisted on democratically elected local government system in the country and the 90 days moratorium period agreed with Mr. President to enable States conduct elections.
“It did not just end there, the President after the Supreme Court ruling invited us and we had an understanding that we have a compliance duration of 90 days. So, what we are doing here is to make sure that even if my party is not participating, the Council process must stand in Rivers State. And a good number of you from here are my party faithful and you are not even benefitting from it and you are still here supporting us.”
He enjoined the stakeholders to continue to apply caution and be peaceful as detractors are bent on truncating the process because they have lost out, adding that the meeting is to assure them of his total support to ensure that the process is driven to the end.
The governor stated that the detractors have become agitated and turned to protest because they have completely lost out of the game, showing that his administration and Rivers people are steadily winning the struggle.
Fubara further noted that it is important for the people to return to their local government areas to participate in the process on Saturday as the elections are for the real indigenes of the State and not hirelings from neighbouring States.
“Now the second part of it is, we need to go out there and tell the world that we don”t hire people from Ngwa to come and protest or people from the boundary between Imo and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni. The people that are going to participate in this election, and the numbers that we are going to record are the real indigenes of this State.”
He reaffirmed the preparedness of his government to support the Rivers State electoral body to conduct a free, fair and credible election for the peace loving people of Rivers State and encouraged them to be part of it.