Rivers LG Election To Proceed Despite Alleged Court Injunction, Says RSIEC

Rivers LG Election To Proceed Despite Alleged Court Injunction, Says RSIEC....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has confirmed that no court ruling is obstructing the scheduled local government elections in the state on October 5, 2024……CONTINUE READING 

Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), the commission’s chairman, made this declaration during a training session for master trainers of the commission’s staff in Port Harcourt. His remarks come in response to claims by Chief Tony Okocha, the ousted chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, who suggested at a press conference that ongoing litigation would impede the elections. Okocha cited a statement from the reinstated state party executive led by Chief Emeka Beka, which expressed intent to participate in the elections. He asserted that the executive was acting independently, as the party had officially opposed the elections.

Countering Okocha’s assertions, Enebeli affirmed that the October 5 election date is definitive, noting that 18 out of 19 political parties are set to participate, with over 300 candidates contesting for various positions. He emphasized that there is no court order preventing the RSIEC from proceeding with the elections and referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the conduct of local government elections in states where they have not been held.

Enebeli stated, “There is no judgment perpetually restraining us from conducting elections. On July 11 of this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria clearly stated that democratically elected local government elections must be held in all states yet to conduct them. Failure to do so will have consequences. The people of Rivers State and the Federal Government are eagerly anticipating the elections.”

He also pointed out that according to Section 60(2) of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law of 2018, court proceedings cannot halt primaries or elections. He reiterated that no ruling has been made against the elections, emphasizing the Supreme Court’s directive to conduct them. Enebeli concluded, “The date of October 5, 2024, is fixed and unchangeable.” The elections will comply with the provisions of the SIEC Law, and the Independent National Electoral Commission is required to provide the voter register to the RSIEC.