Approximately 100 supporters of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, staged a peaceful protest on Saturday near the Polo Club in GRA, Port Harcourt.
The group, mainly youths, opposed the ongoing local government elections in Rivers State, citing a recent Federal High Court judgment from Abuja, according to NaijaNews.
The judgment instructed the police and Independent National Electoral Commission to stay away from the electoral process.
Protester Henry Bobmanuel stated that as law-abiding citizens, they refused to participate in the elections, gathering to inform the public that there was no legitimate local council election in Rivers State.
Despite the protest, election materials were distributed across various wards and units in some local government areas.
Voting commenced in several units, including Okomoko community in Etche. However, the situation varied across polling units.
In some areas, such as PHALGA Ward 18, election materials arrived timely, while others, like Rumuibekwe and Rumuekini in Obio-Akpor, saw no sign of elections. Buguma in Asari-Toru recorded a large voter turnout, with a relatively peaceful atmosphere.
Security measures were in place, with police vans patrolling the state capital and security vehicles stationed near the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office.
Notably, police personnel were absent from polling units, but other security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and local security outfits, maintained order.
The protest and varying election experiences reflect the complexities surrounding Rivers State’s local government elections.
One of the protesters, Henry Bobmanuel, articulated their stance, saying, “We are law-abiding citizens, that’s why we are not participating in the elections; we gathered here to tell the world that there is no local council election in Rivers State.”
