Video: Protest Rocks Rivers State as PDP Members Storms RSIEC Office Says Elections Will Not Hold: Here is What You Need to Know
The situation in Rivers State regarding the local government elections has indeed stirred significant controversy and protest, particularly around the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office. Here’s an overview based on the information available up to October 3, 2024:
Video: Protest Rocks Rivers State as PDP Members Storms RSIEC Office Says LGA Polls Will Not Hold pic.twitter.com/p47Z4aYBDq
— Inside Pitakwa (@PitakwaNews) October 3, 2024
- Police Presence at RSIEC Office: There has been considerable discussion and disinformation regarding the police presence at the RSIEC office along Aba Road. Initially, there were reports suggesting that the police had sealed off the office, potentially to prevent the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, from taking place. However, the police have clarified that their presence at the RSIEC office was strictly for security purposes, especially in light of protests and potential threats to the facility. This action was not to interfere with the electoral process but to ensure the safety of the premises amid the political tensions.
- Court Orders and Confusion: A Federal High Court order restrained INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC, which was intended for use in the local government elections. This legal decision has been central to the contention over whether the elections could legally proceed. Despite this, RSIEC, led by its Chairman Justice Adolphus Enebeli, cited another court ruling from the State High Court allowing them to continue with the elections, leading to confusion and legal debate over which court order should be followed.
- Political Protests: Reports from X indicate that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have protested at the PDP State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt. This protest action might be linked to the broader political tussle in Rivers State, where figures like former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and current Governor Siminalayi Fubara are at odds over control and political strategy.
- Public Sentiment and Misinformation: There’s been a mix of sentiments expressed on X, with some users spreading rumors about the police presence being at the behest of “an individual from Abuja,” which might refer to political figures influencing law enforcement actions. However, official statements have clarified that the police actions were in line with maintaining security, not political interference.
Given this context, the claim that “PDP Members Storms RSIEC Office Says Elections Will Not Hold” seems to be reflective of the broader political protest and legal wrangling rather than a definitive statement on the election’s status. The elections’ fate hangs in a legal and political limbo due to conflicting court orders and the ongoing political battle within Rivers State’s leadership. While there’s been significant opposition and protest, officially, the decision on whether the elections will proceed as planned on October 5, 2024, remains unresolved, pending further legal clarity or political resolution.
