The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has insisted on going ahead with the conduct of the Local Government elections in Rivers State on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
This is even as the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has stated that it would abide by the Federal High Court judgment and not participate in the election.
But in a statement of defiance, RSIEC announced late Friday, October 4, its readiness to go on with the elections.
This was contained in a statement by the RSIEC Commissioner for Civil Education/Public Affairs Tobin Tamunotonye.
The statement by RSIEC read, “For the avoidance of doubt, we emphasize unequivocally that the 5th October 2024 Local Government Council Elections in Rivers State will hold as scheduled. And there is no going back.”
Quoting the RSIEC LAW of 2018 and the judgment of Hon Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the High Court of Rivers State delivered on 4th September 2024, and the 1999 Constitution, Tamunotonye said the Commission is empowered to conduct Local Government elections in the State.
The Commissioner disclosed that RSIEC has transported non-sensitive materials to polling units across the State. He emphasized that the updated 2023 voter registers have been made available at all 6,366 polling units.
Tamunotonye described the polls as “critical and in line with the order on RSIEC from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.” Stressing that “voting centres will be open on time as scheduled.
He noted that electoral materials have been moved to the respective distribution points for all the polling unit and voters registers also released to election staff.
The Commissioner also dismissed claims about the resignation of RSIEC Chairman Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Retired).
He said, “The above claim is mischievously false, baseless, and a fabricated lie from the pit of hell. It is a calculated lie to mislead the public.
“For the avoidance of doubt the Chairman /Chief Electoral Commissioner is still in charge. He has not resigned as maliciously circulated across the media space.”
source: Channels TV
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