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The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has maintained that there is no court ruling preventing the scheduled local government elections from being held on October 5, 2024.
The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), made this assertion during a training session for master trainers of RSIEC staff in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
This comes in the wake of a statement by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers, Chief Tony Okocha, who, during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday, claimed the elections were under litigation and, therefore, could not proceed.
Okocha appeared to be referencing the faction of the APC led by reinstated state party Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, who is aligned with former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi.
The Beke-led faction had signalled their intention to participate in the elections, a move Okocha dismissed, asserting that the main opposition party had already taken its stance against the polls.
However, Justice Enebeli was unequivocal, stating that the October 5 date remains fixed.
He disclosed that 18 out of the 19 registered political parties would be participating in the elections, with over 300 candidates vying 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.”
