The local government election in Rivers State, Nigeria is continuing as planned, despite requests from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to halt the process. The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) confirmed that the election will go ahead, urging residents to participate in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials have already been delivered to Registration and Accreditation Centres (RACs) in some local government areas, including the Government Technical College in Ahoada East. The state has taken on the usual calm associated with election days, with quieter roads. However, there is a notable absence of the Nigeria Police Force.
Governor Fubara, speaking on Friday, reaffirmed his commitment to holding the election, despite the Rivers State Police Command’s decision to withdraw from providing security during the process. The governor has accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of attempting to disrupt the election in favour of “an Abuja-based politician.”