…Restricts movement from midnight on Friday

By Daniel Abia

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, 2024, as public holidays to allow residents travel to their communities and fully participate in the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5.

In addition, the Governor announced a restriction on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday, October 4, until 5 p.m. on Election Day, October 5.

Governor Fubara made the announcement in a statewide broadcast from Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

He explained, “Following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the Chairmen and Councilors of the 23 Local Government Councils on June 17, 2023, I lawfully instituted Caretaker Committees to temporarily administer the councils pending the conduct of elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).”

The Governor further noted that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its July 11, 2024 judgment in SC/CV/343/2024, outlawed the administration of local government councils by unelected officers and ordered the cessation of statutory allocations to councils without elected officials.

“Following Mr. President’s intervention, the compliance period with the Supreme Court’s judgment was extended by three months, ending on October 31, 2024,” Fubara explained. “Based on this, I directed RSIEC to take steps to conduct local government elections in Rivers State, which will now be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024.”

He highlighted that RSIEC is fully prepared for the election, with 17 out of 18 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), participating by fielding candidates.

“As Governor of Rivers State, I am committed to upholding the Constitution of Nigeria, the rule of law, and the principles of democracy,” Fubara emphasized, warning that failure to conduct the election would be in violation of the Supreme Court’s order and would result in the State being denied statutory allocations.

Fubara also cited a September 4, 2024, Rivers State High Court judgment in Suit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024, which ordered the Governor, the State Government, and RSIEC to conduct the election using the 2023 INEC Voters Register.

Reiterating his commitment to the election, the Governor assured residents, “The Rivers State Government is irrevocably committed to conducting the local government elections on October 5, 2024.”

He also urged all registered voters to participate, assuring that security personnel would be deployed to maintain order at polling units.

To facilitate participation, Governor Fubara declared October 3 and 4 as public holidays, allowing citizens time to travel to their communities. He also announced the restriction of vehicular and human movement from midnight on October 4 until 5 p.m. on October 5, except for those on election duty or essential services.

The Governor issued a warning: “The police and other security agencies have clear directives to arrest and prosecute anyone who attempts to violate the movement restrictions.”

Governor Fubara concluded by expressing appreciation to the State’s security agencies for their efforts in ensuring a peaceful election and called on citizens to support RSIEC in delivering a free, fair, and credible election that will bring in a new set of democratically elected leaders for the 23 Local Government Councils.