The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has issued a firm confirmation that the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for Saturday, will proceed as planned despite recent developments that caused some uncertainty. The commission's assurance comes in light of a series of events that had threatened to disrupt the electoral process, including legal rulings and the withdrawal of security personnel.
Earlier reports indicated that on Friday, the Nigerian Police Force made a surprising announcement, stating that it would be withdrawing its officers from the election process. This decision followed a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which ordered the suspension of the elections. The ruling raised significant concerns, with many wondering if the elections would be postponed indefinitely due to a lack of police presence to ensure security at polling stations.
However, in an early morning statement released on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Pastor Tamunotonye Tobins, RSIEC’s Commissioner for Civic Education and Public Affairs, reassured the public that the elections would move forward as scheduled. Tobins emphasized that all logistical preparations had already been made, and RSIEC was fully prepared to conduct the elections, regardless of the challenges posed by the police withdrawal or the court ruling.
Tobins further explained that non-sensitive materials had already been successfully distributed to polling units across the state, a significant logistical achievement that underscores the commission's readiness for the electoral exercise. He also confirmed that the updated 2023 voter register, which will be used in the election, is readily accessible at all 6,366 polling units spread across the state, ensuring that the process would be transparent and accountable.
In his statement, Tobins highlighted the importance of these local government elections, describing them as a critical aspect of the state's democratic process. He emphasized that RSIEC is acting in full compliance with the directive from the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which mandated that the elections proceed as planned. This directive, Tobins explained, provides the legal foundation for the commission to move forward with the elections despite the legal and security challenges that have arisen in recent days.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the actions of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in response to an incident that took place early on Friday at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) office. Governor Fubara, accompanied by several government officials, arrived at the RISIEC premises around 1 a.m. to personally oversee the situation, following reports that armed police officers had taken control of the electoral commission’s office without prior warning or justification.
The Governor, visibly upset by what he described as an unwarranted police intervention, directly criticized the IGP for overstepping his authority. According to Fubara, the police officers who had been assigned to protect the RISIEC office were unexpectedly withdrawn by a Deputy Commissioner of Operations, leaving a vacuum that was immediately filled by another contingent of police officers. This abrupt and unexplained switch of security personnel raised serious concerns for the Governor, who viewed it as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the electoral process.
Fubara did not mince words in expressing his frustration. He accused the police of exceeding their boundaries and interfering in what should have been a straightforward electoral procedure. The Governor was particularly frustrated by the timing of the incident, as it occurred just hours before the scheduled elections. He made it clear that he believed the police actions were not only unjustified but also an attempt to undermine the democratic process in Rivers State.
In defense of the elections, Governor Fubara pointed out that while the court ruling restricted access to the voter register, it did not explicitly prohibit the holding of the elections themselves. This clarification was important for ensuring that the public understood the legal framework within which the elections were proceeding. Refusing to back down, Fubara stated unequivocally that the elections would go ahead as planned, even if they had to be conducted without the usual level of police security. His firm stance on the matter reassured many that the elections would not be derailed by external forces.
As the situation unfolds, the people of Rivers State are keenly watching how the elections will proceed in the face of these challenges. With RSIEC and the Governor showing strong resolve, the stage is set for a significant electoral exercise that could shape the future of local governance in Rivers State.