By Precious Ahiakwo
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – Tensions soared on Friday as a group of impassioned protesters stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding that the Local Government elections must go on as scheduled on October 5th. In a remarkable show of resilience, the protesters braved torrential rain, set up canopies, and blocked one side of Aba Road as they chanted defiantly, “Election must hold!” while drumming in unison.
The demonstration erupted shortly after Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s unexpected visit to the RSIEC office in the early hours of Friday, which followed an attempted break-in by rogue police officers. The Governor’s swift action to prevent the disruption of the electoral process sparked a firestorm of emotions, leading to an outpouring of public frustration outside RSIEC.
With canopies set up amid a downpour, the determined protesters made it clear that they would not be silenced. They chanted, drummed, and waved banners, insisting that no force—internal or external—would interfere with their democratic rights. Their message was loud and unmistakable: “We will not back down until our voices are heard, and the elections are held as planned.”
Many protesters expressed their anger over the recent withdrawal of security for the elections following court orders. They accused unnamed political forces of attempting to derail the democratic process in Rivers State, raising fears that the will of the people was being subverted. A protester, visibly soaked but unyielding, stated, “Rain or shine, we are here to protect our votes. This election must happen. We won’t allow anyone to rob us of our voices.”
The protest was also seen as a reflection of the broader tension in Rivers State, where the build-up to the election has been marred by controversy and interference. Despite these challenges, Governor Fubara assured residents that all measures were being taken to protect the electoral process. However, the people of Rivers were taking no chances, making it clear that they would remain at the RSIEC office until they were certain that the election would proceed.
The protest scene outside RSIEC turned into a symbol of resistance, with demonstrators refusing to leave despite the heavy downpour. Drums echoed through the rain-soaked streets, voices rose in unison, and the energy remained unwavering. Security personnel were present to monitor the situation, but the protesters remained peaceful, resolute, and determined to make sure their votes count.
As Rivers State stands on the brink of the October 5th elections, the drama and determination displayed by these protesters have captured the state’s undivided attention. Will the people’s will prevail in the face of attempts to derail the election process? For now, the message from these protesters is clear: democracy must be respected, and the elections must go ahead as planned.
