Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he considers himself the greatest loser in the upcoming local government election since the Peoples Democratic Party will not be participating in the poll in the state.
The governor urged all registered voters and leaders of political groups to ensure they are present at their polling units on October 5, 2024, to engage in the process that will lead to the election of new political leaders in the 23 Local Government Councils.
Fubara made this call while addressing Rivers political stakeholders gathered at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, in preparation for the October 5th local government election.
This information was included in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, and shared with news reporters. Fubara clarified that his government’s position on the forthcoming election is definitive, emphasizing that it will be conducted and completed.
Fubara asserted that only registered voters residing in the state will participate in the local government election.
He said: “Go, do what the law says you should do, as demanded by the RSIEC Law, and leave the rest. RSIEC will take it from there, and when RSIEC finishes its part, the government will also take it from that point and finish its part, and the process will all be consummated by the special grace of God in a few days coming.”
On PDP not participating in the poll, Fubara said: “You know this election, I am the greatest loser because my party is not participating. It is the truth! But because of the Supreme Court ruling that there must be elected officials to manage the affairs of local governments, as a Governor, I have to obey that.
“It did not 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 local council process must stand for Rivers State.
“And a good number of you here are my party faithful and you are not even benefiting from it, and you are here supporting us. So, what is the problem?
“So, I want to thank you for supporting democracy. I want to thank you for ensuring that there is a rule of law. I want to thank you for sticking your neck out to make sure that Rivers State still stands among the comity of states.”
Fubara appealed to everyone to return to their various LGAs, follow the process, be law-abiding, and eschew violence.
“I want to thank you for standing with us and assure you that with your strength, we will continue to stand with the flag, and we will not let the flag of Rivers State down by any means.
“So, let me conclude by assuring you again, don’t allow anybody, don’t allow any propaganda, don’t allow any aluta movement, and don’t allow any story from the pit of hell to deter your spirit at this point.
“I am really happy that everyone is in high spirits. Be assured that the government will do everything to make sure that Rivers State is not put in any state of confusion,” he added
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has successfully thwarted a brazen attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to seize control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) late in the night at approximately 1 AM on Friday, 4th October 2024
This development was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi who said that these rogue policemen endeavoured to breach the heavily fortified gates and strong room of the Commission to abscond with sensitive electoral materials that were critical for the upcoming local government election scheduled for Saturday.
Chukwudi added that the meticulously planned nocturnal operation seemed ill-conceived and was ultimately foiled when vigilant security personnel stationed at the facility spotted the intruders and swiftly alerted key officials of the Commission, as well as other pertinent government authorities.
“However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
“The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
“Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
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“He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
“He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”
The statement further added that, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and a coalition of State and National Assembly members, alongside other concerned stakeholders, are stationed at the RSIEC office to ensure the rogue policemen, who arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, do not return, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the elections scheduled to proceed as planned on Saturday.
