… Asks Police not to Derail Democracy_
By Ken Chiwendu
The Peoples Democratic Party,PDP has charged the people of Rivers State to go out and cast their votes in tomorrow October 5 Local Government Council election. in the state.
Both Governor Siminilayi Fubara and his predeccor are members of the PDP but are not fielding candidates in the LG election due to perceived irreconcilable political differences.
There have been attempts by some individuals to stop the election using the courts but the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission said that the commission is ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the third tier of government and that no court order can stop it.
However, a group of individuals purported to be policemen in its bid to stop the election tried to force their way through to the vaults of the RSIEC to cart away electoral materials but luck ran out of them as the governor got the information and arrived on time to foil the attempted raid.
In a statement on Friday, the PDP charged the people of the state to go out and vote saying it is their constitutional right to do so
The statement signed by Debo Ologunagba , the National Publicity Secretary condemns the attempt by the All Progressives Congress APC controlled Police to subvert the will of the people.
The statement reads:
The Peoples Democratic Party (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 PDP insists 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 organization under any guise whatsoever.
The Party maintains 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.
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 condemns 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).
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.
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 calls on Nigerians and the International Community to hold the 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 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.
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 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.
