Following the post election crisis that marred the Rivers State Local Government election, Independent observers of the polls have indicted the Governor for the crisis.
The observers attributed the violence and arson that followed the election to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s refusal to obey court judgement.
IVNTV NEWS reports that the controversial Local Government election was conducted on Saturday, October 5 amid a court order. A Federal High Court in Abuja had given order stopping law enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from taking part in the exercise.
Also some stakeholders in the State, particularly those loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, opposed the election. They had insisted that the court order must be obeyed. This was even as the Inspector General of Police directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State to withdraw police from the election.
But the Governor of the State, Fubara, however, insisted that the election must hold.
Therefore, the election was conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, amid a series of violent clashes. In the post-election days, many people were reported killed by arsonists. Even as some a Local Government secretariat were also set ablaze.
But in a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Independent Election Monitoring Group, IEMG, scored the election low. It declared that the election was marred by “widespread irregularities”. Among which include the lack of election materials and non-use of electoral registers.
The Executive Director of the group, Dr. Emmanuel Agabi, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja.
He said: “The state’s political crisis will only worsen if urgent steps are not taken to restore order, accountability, and respect for democratic principles.
“The use of arson as a tool for political intimidation is not only reprehensible but dangerous. As it has the potential to escalate into broader conflict. If unchecked, this pattern of governance could erode what remains of democratic practice in Rivers State.
“It is, therefore, imperative that Governor Fubara and his administration give peace a chance. By embracing dialogue, respecting court rulings, and adhering to democratic norms.
“For the future of Rivers State, and indeed Nigeria’s democratic experiment, it is crucial that stakeholders at all levels work together. And help to address the deep-seated issues that have emerged from this election,” he said.
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