The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State are holding a joint protest in Port Harcourt after Governor Siminalayi Fubara declared Thursday (today) and Friday as public holidays ahead of Saturday’s local government election in the state.
A Federal High Court in Abuja barred Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from conducting the elections and also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to RSIEC for the purpose of the election.
According to Channels TV, the massive presence of security officers as the protesters had initially gathered in large numbers at the PDP secretariatmassive presence of security officers as the protesters had initially gathered in large numbers at the PDP secretariat.
The protesters were later seen carrying placards and banners, chanting songs in protest and running along the highway.
One of the displayed banners reads “TAI people say no to lawlessness. Say no to LGA election. RSIEC must obey court judgment. SIM must obey court judgement”.
They were accompanied by members of the Tony Okocha-led APC on the march.
Some stakeholders which include, former LGA chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, and former chief of staff Government House loyal to the FCT minister were in attendance.
Speaking at the DSS office, a PDP stakeholder in Rivers State, Aron Chukwuemeka said the major reason for the protest was to say no to the October 5 Local Government Elections.
However, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Alalibo, who spoke at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said RSIEC had applied for the Register, but it was yet to be released to them because of administrative reasons
Alalibo further confirmed that the Commission received the court judgement from Abuja barring the Commission from releasing the register. The local government election is scheduled for October 5, 2024.
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