The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party staged a protest Thursday, demanding the suspension of the October 5 local government council elections.
The protesters, led by Chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, marched to the Department of State Services and Rivers State Police Command Headquarters to express concerns over the state government’s alleged disregard for court rulings, according to Daily Post.
Citing a Federal High Court order, the PDP argued that the elections should not proceed due to outstanding legal challenges.
They emphasized their commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace.
Joined by All Progressives Congress members loyal to Tony Okocha, the protesters were met with heavy security presence at the PDP secretariat.
Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu assured the protesters that their concerns would be addressed.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, however, remains adamant that the elections will proceed as planned, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling on democratically elected local government executives.
The standoff has heightened tensions ahead of the October 5 polls, with the PDP and its allies vowing to prevent the elections if their concerns are ignored.
He said, “We are here to submit a petition to you from the Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State ably led by my humble self, the state chairman of our great party, Hon, Aaron Chukwuemeka.
“And attached to this letter is an order of court, Federal High Court, a judgement of Federal High Court on 30 September, 2023.
“In that order, it was expressly stated that RSIEC should not go ahead with the election. In that same judgement, INEC should not give them voter register, and then, the security agencies were told not to participate in that election.
“And as law abiding citizens, we believe in justice and equity, we believe in rule of law. And that is why we can’t to you, to tell you that, that election, the governor, the RSIEC, should obey that judgment.
“No man is bigger than the law. We as a party, we are not going to participate. And then if they go ahead to do that election, and that becomes crisis, we as PDP, we will not fold our hands.
“And that is why we are begging the security agencies to stop them from conducting that election.”