The Rivers State House of Assembly has declared its support for the conduct of local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.
The assembly’s position aligns with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s stance, emphasizing adherence to the rule of law and subsisting judgments, according to TheWill.
Led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, the assembly cited the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2024, judgment affirming local government councils’ financial autonomy.
Additionally, Justice I. P. C. Igwe’s September 4, 2024, judgment ordered the state government to ensure adequate election provisions.
However, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, and a segment of the All Progressives Congress , led by Tony Okocha, have protested the elections, citing illegality.
Conversely, the Chief Emeka Beke-led faction of the Rivers APC has expressed support for the elections.
In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, they distanced themselves from Okocha’s suit and judgment, affirming their participation in the polls.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has been ordered to utilize the 2023 national voter register compiled by INEC. Security agencies have also been mandated to provide adequate security during and after the elections.
The assembly’s resolution has sparked varied reactions, with some stakeholders backing the election while others oppose it.
According to Oko-Jumbo, “On the 11th day of July 2024, the Supreme Court in suit No. SC/CV/343/2024 delivered a landmark judgment affirming the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Councils. In that judgment, the apex court mandated that at all times, there must be a democratically elected local government council in place, mandating all 36 states to comply.”
He also referred to the judgment delivered by Justice I. P. C. Igwe on September 4, 2024, in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024, which mandated: “The Rivers State Government and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, whose constitutional duties as enshrined in Section 7:1 of the 1999 Constitution and in line with the Supreme Court judgment of the 11th day of July 2024, to ensure and make adequate provisions for the conduct of the election into the local government councils of Rivers State.
”The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to utilise in their custody the national register of voters for the year 2023 general election as compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
”The Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Army and any other security agencies to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the elections on the 5th day of October 2024.”
