The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has reaffirmed that there is no court ruling preventing the scheduled local government elections from taking place on October 5, 2024.
This was confirmed by the Commission’s Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), during a training session for master trainers of RSIEC staff in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The clarification follows a statement from the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, who, during a press briefing on Monday, claimed the elections were under litigation and should not proceed. Okocha’s remarks appeared to reference the faction of the APC led by reinstated state party Chairman Chief Emeka Beke, aligned with former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi.
The Beke-led faction had indicated its intention to participate in the elections, a move Okocha dismissed, maintaining that the opposition party had decided not to engage in the polls.
Justice Enebeli was clear, stating that the October 5 date remains fixed. He also revealed that 18 out of 19 registered political parties would be participating in the elections, with over 300 candidates contesting for various positions.
“There is no court judgment restraining us from conducting the elections,” Enebeli declared, further citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates the conduct of democratically elected local government councils across all states.
He explained, “On July 11 this year, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the highest court in the land, delivered a clear and comprehensive judgment that local government elections should be democratically conducted in all states yet to do so. The consequences for failing to adhere are obvious. Therefore, both the people of Rivers and the Federal Government are eagerly anticipating this election.”
Enebeli added that the elections would be held in full compliance with the Rivers State Electoral Commission Law, stating that the Independent National Electoral Commission is required to provide the voters’ register to RSIEC as per legal provisions.
“Section 60, subsection 2 of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Law of 2018 provides that no court proceedings shall restrain the conduct of primaries or elections. INEC is obliged to register voters for RSIEC elections,” he explained.
The RSIEC Chairman reiterated, “There is no legal impediment, and the Supreme Court has confirmed that we should conduct these elections. By the grace of God, October 5, 2024, remains sacrosanct.”
