•Fubara accuses IGP, Police of bias, insists on at present’s balloting
•Nationwide PDP backs ballot, Rivers chapter disagrees
•Governor Eno, Senate President Akpabio brag in A/Ibom
•PDP wants no battle to win -Eno
•No one can dismiss APC -Akpabio
•APC, PDP take a look at would possibly in Benue
•Police prohibit motion in Jigawa
By Clifford Ndujihe, Ishola Balogun, Egufe Yafugborhi, Dan Abia, John Alechenu, Mohammed Abubakar, Davies Iheamnachor & Joseph Erunke
THERE is stress within the polity as 4 states- Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue and Jigawa maintain native council elections, at present.
The strain is rather more in Rivers the place the camps of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, are locked in a battle to complete within the battle for the management of political construction on the grassroots.
AS of press time, how the train will pan out in Rivers was troublesome to inform following complicated, and conflicting indicators from many quarters. For example, whereas the Nationwide Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic, PDP, is in assist and desires its members to participate within the election, its Rivers State chapter, which is loyal to Wike, urged residents and get together members to shun the train.
The Police, citing court docket orders, have stated they might not present safety companies in Rivers and urged different safety companies to do the identical.
Nevertheless, Governor Fubara who accused the Police of bias, stated the election can be held with the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee, RSIEC, saying whatever the court docket order, it might go forward with the conduct of the train.
This was because the Motion Peoples Social gathering,APP, disowned a factional group claiming to be the get together’s genuine management in Rivers, and backed RSIEC’s determination to go forward with the ballot.
In Akwa Ibom, Governor Umo Eno of the PDP, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress, APC, boasted about their events profitable the ballot. Whereas Eno stated the PDP will win with a landslide, Akpabio stated the APC couldn’t be dismissed simply.
In Benue, leaders of the ruling APC and important opposition PDP are locked in a testy duel that might be costume rehearsal for 2027 common polls.
The 4 council polls that will probably be held at present, are a part of ongoing push by states to make sure democratically-elected councils on the heels of the current Supreme Court docket ruling halting federal allocation to councils with out elected officers, and the settlement of Presidency and governors to take action inside 90 days of the judgment. Different states have slated council elections as follows: Plateau (October 9), Kogi (October 19), Kaduna (October 19), Cross River (October 26), Kano (October 26), Abia (November 2), Nasarawa (November 2), Ogun (November 16), )Ondo (January 18, 2025), Katsina (February 15, 2025) and Osun (February 22, 2025).
No going again on ballot, IGP’s biased— Fubara
Insisting on holding at present’s LGA ballot, Governor Fubara accused the Inspector Basic of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and your entire Nigeria Police Pressure of serving the curiosity of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the election. Governor Fubara made the accusation throughout a World Press Convention held at Authorities Home in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The Governor stated the already scheduled Native Authorities election, barely hours away, can’t be stopped or truncated as a result of a specific particular person doesn’t need it carried out. He stated that all the things that wanted to be executed concerning the electoral course of legally, safety clever and logistically, together with the voters, have been finalised and voters sentisitised due to their excessive confidence ranges.
Governor Fubara stated even the police have been knowledgeable, and are anticipated to discharge their statutory skilled safety duties, notably as a result of the court docket additionally directed so in its judgment on the election. He regretted that quite, the police had turn into employed brokers despatched to assault the headquarters of Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee, RSIEC, and tried to cart away delicate supplies.
His phrases: “Within the early hours of this morning (Friday), I received a safety report that the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee workplace has been invaded by the Nigerian Police. I used to be actually stunned as a result of earlier than that point, I received a duplicate of a sign withdrawing the cops that have been guarding the premises. So, I needed to drive to the place myself for the reason that facility belongs to Rivers State Authorities.
“Attending to the scene, and to the shock of everybody who accompanied me there, I noticed some fierce trying policemen in a single truck and three different empty Hilux vans attempting to drive their approach into the premises. I needed to cease them. Within the course of, we found that that motion (operation), was a deliberate try by the Nigerian Police Pressure, each the Rivers State Command and the Headquarters (Abuja), to steal the electoral supplies. However by the particular grace of God, that act was foiled.”
Governor Fubara questioned how so low the Nigeria Police stooped, permitting their officers to interact in such unlawful acts that clearly advised that that they had turn into enemies of Rivers State.
In any other case, the governor puzzled why the Nigeria Police will try to take over management of RSIEC or be used to cease a democratic course of that’s ongoing, which is able to result in the emergence of elected political management on the native authorities councils.
Fubara’s crucial questions
Governor Fubara continued: “Listed below are the questions: first, the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee, is it not an company, and a course of that’s being managed by the State Authorities? Is it not a system that’s ruled by the regulation of the State? Why is Rivers State’s case totally different?
“The second a part of it’s: what’s the particular factor about this difficulty of taking on the premises by the Police? If we should always go by their declare that that they had a court docket order, the court docket ruling stated, don’t give RSIEC voters register, don’t give RSIEC police safety. Did the judgment say they need to seal the premises? Or don’t permit them conduct election?
Conflicting court docket judgment
“Nevertheless, the Rivers State Authorities and RSIEC itself additionally had a judgment that state clearly: conduct the election with the voters register of 2023; and police, DSS, Nigeria Military and different sister companies ought to present safety. I won’t be a lawyer, however I perceive clearly that with regards to the difficulty of judgment, there’s something they name first- in-time.”
Governor Fubara requested if there was some other court docket that’s larger than the Supreme Court docket of Nigeria, whose judgment regarding a correct structure of elected Native Authorities Councils is being obeyed in Rivers State.
The Governor acknowledged that amongst all the safety companies, the Nigeria Police was the one one appearing so surprisingly and have turn into a risk to the nation’s democracy.
He acknowledged: “Why are they on the lookout for a approach to stampede this state? The Supreme Court docket gave a judgment that each one native authorities actions have to be carried out by elected officers. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in settlement with State Governors, directed a compliance to this judgment inside 90 days with impact from the judgment date.
“And all different states are conducting elections to make sure that they adjust to the directive, not simply the Supreme Court docket ruling but additionally going by the understanding that we now have with Mr. President. What Rivers State can also be doing shouldn’t be totally different from others. And the massive query is: is some other court docket larger than the Supreme Court docket?”
Governor Fubara additionally made reference to the incident that occurred in Nigeria concerning the botched common election of June 12, 1993, whereby the Supreme Court docket dominated that with regards to the difficulty of election, no court docket ought to cease the method.
“Is it not higher”, the Governor stated, “In case you really feel aggrieved, and don’t need to take part within the election that you must go to court docket? Why do you need to cease the method of election, to create drawback, and anarchy within the state? We’re already complaining of struggling, individuals are hungry, and also you need to stampede the native authorities civil servants within the state.”
Governor Fubara assured Nigerians, and notably peace- loving folks of Rivers State that the election will go on, and nothing will cease it as a result of all the things required has been put in place.
Maintain IGP liable for any safety breach in Rivers
The Governor stated: “On the difficulty of safety, if the police really feel they don’t need to be a part of the election, they need to withdraw. I’m saying this right here in order that the Inspector Basic of Police will probably be conscious, and in addition know that any act towards the peace of this state, something that may carry a state of affairs of lawlessness on this state, if it occurs, I feel on the finish of the day, he must be ready to take duty.
“Why is the case of Rivers State totally different? Why is the regulation or Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria interpreted another way when it comes Rivers State?”
Governor Fubara emphasised that the native authorities election at present is sacrosanct, and demanded all people to hitch palms collectively to be sure that it’s peaceable in order that there will probably be winners who will ultimately be sworn-in to pilot the affairs of the councils.
“I simply need you to know that we’re ready. As soon as within the lifetime of each man, it is advisable to stand on the aspect of reality, and even when it would take your life, historical past won’t neglect you,” he added.
On the court docket ruling backing the election, Governor Fubara stated the Rivers State Authorities despatched a duplicate of the judgment of court docket mandating that the election ought to maintain to the Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA), Inspector Basic of Police (IGP), Director, Directorate of State Safety (DSS), and different safety companies, which he believed had been communicated to Mr President.
He continued: , “On the side of the Police withdrawing their companies, I don’t assume police (are) presupposed to be a part of the election course of. What police ought to do is to guard lives and property, be sure that no one involves trigger a battle or burn folks’s property. In reality, police don’t have to be near the polling models or the voting centres. What’s essential is for them to make sure that the lives of the folks of Rivers State are protected, and their properties are protected.
“On the difficulty of the election, I don’t assume in the event that they withdraw their companies, it will mar the method. Under no circumstances! So, if the police will not be offering (safety), I strongly consider that another companies will present safety for the election.”
Police to boycott LG ballot — Spokesperson
In the meantime, the Rivers State Police Command has introduced that it’ll boycott the electioneering. SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, instructed journalists in Port Harcourt, yesterday that the choice adopted an order from the Federal Excessive Court docket, and confirmed that the command had begun withdrawing its officers from election duties.
“The court docket order bars the police from permitting, taking part in, offering safety for, or collaborating within the native authorities council elections. Due to this fact, all space commanders, divisional cops, and tactical commanders have been instructed to completely adjust to the Federal Excessive Court docket’s judgement,” she acknowledged. She additional urged different safety companies to watch the court docket’s ruling
Iringe-Koko suggested anybody aggrieved by the police withdrawal to hunt authorized redress earlier than the election, and guaranteed that cops would stay alert for ‘potential disturbances,’ although they might indirectly take part within the election.
The Federal Excessive Court docket had, on September 30, barred the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC from releasing the Voters Register to the RSIEC.
The court docket cited RSIEC’s non-compliance with its 2018 regulation concerning the voters register as purpose for the court docket’s determination to halt the elections. It additional prohibited the police and the State Safety Service (DSS) from partaking within the elections.
We’re prepared for ballot— RSIEC
Regardless of the court docket ruling, RSIEC stays decided to proceed with the elections. RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, retd. referenced a ruling by the State Excessive Court docket mandating the fee to proceed the election. Addressing the authorized dispute, the Attorneys in Defence of Democracy and Human Rights argued that the Federal Excessive Court docket didn’t have the jurisdiction to stop RSIEC from conducting the LG ballot.
Okere Nnamdi, the group’s convener, clarified that the court docket was not a court docket of common jurisdiction however quite a court docket of particular jurisdiction. He defined, “The court docket’s jurisdiction is printed in Part 2(51), Subsection 1(Q) (R) of the 1999 Structure. RSIEC shouldn’t be a Federal Authorities company however an company of the Rivers State Authorities. Due to this fact, the Federal Excessive Court docket can not difficulty an injunctive order to cease RSIEC from conducting native authorities elections”.
Nnamdi additionally identified that RSIEC had a constitutional function to conduct native authorities elections, as empowered by Paragraph 4, Half 2 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Structure.
He emphasised that the States Unbiased Electoral Fee (SIECs) are autonomous our bodies established by Part 197 of the 1999 Structure, below the authority of the state governments.
“It’s only the Rivers State Excessive Court docket that may restrain RSIEC from conducting native authorities elections,” he insisted.
Preserve regulation, order in Rivers, Falana writes IG
Nevertheless, Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has written the Police IG, urging him to keep up regulation and order in the course of the October 5 election in Rivers. In a letter addressed to the Inspector-Basic of Police, Falana acknowledged that the APC has filed an enchantment towards the Federal Excessive Court docket judgment barring it from taking part within the election.
Falana argued that since a discover of enchantment and movement for keep of execution have been filed, events mustn’t take steps that will frustrate the listening to of the movement.
The lawyer cited the Supreme Court docket’s determination in Mobil Oil Nig. Restricted v Assan (1995), which held that events will not be permitted to take steps that will frustrate the listening to of a movement for keep of execution.
Falana additionally referenced a Rivers State Excessive Court docket judgment in Swimsuit No: PHC/2696/CS/2024, which directed the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee to conduct the election in accordance with the Supreme Court docket’s judgment. The APC expressed considerations over doable violence and destruction of electoral supplies, urging the police to make sure public security.
The letter reads partly: “We hereby urge you to direct the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to make sure that there is no such thing as a breakdown of regulation and order in any a part of Rivers State in the course of the native authorities election.” The APC’s enchantment and movement for keep of execution are pending earlier than the court docket.
Nationwide PDP backs ballot, Rivers chapter disagrees
The nationwide headquarters of the PDP and its Rivers chapter took a special stand and issued conflicting directives, yesterday. Whereas the NWC charged supporters, Rivers folks to take part within the election and warned the Police towards derailing democracy, the Rivers PDP urged folks to shun the election. The PDP NWC charged the folks of Rivers State to claim their sovereignty and constitutional proper by popping out en masse to vote within the election throughout the state.
Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba stated this in an announcement.
The NWC place is in sharp distinction with the place taken by a number of the get together members in Rivers State to boycott the polls. Ologunagba stated, “The PDP insists that the proper to civil management of democratic actions in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the folks of the state and such proper, together with participation in Native Authorities Space election can’t be abridged or appropriated by any particular person, group or group below any guise in any respect.
“The Social gathering maintains that the folks of Rivers State are prepared for election; the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee had additionally introduced its readiness, preparedness and possession of needed operational supplies to conduct the election in keeping with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court docket and no court docket below the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has energy to cease elections. “For avoidance of doubt, Part 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 supplies that “Nothing on this part shall empower the courts to cease the holding of primaries or common elections, below the Act pending the willpower of a go well with”.
“The PDP in very sturdy time period condemns the try by the APC-controlled Police to abridge, subvert and frustrate the graceful conduct of the Rivers State Native Authorities Space election towards the desire of the folks, the pronouncement of the Supreme Court docket, the specific provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The reported invasion of RSIEC amenities by Police operatives allegedly to frustrate the conduct of the election is a direct affront to our democracy and the Rule of Regulation; an try which was firmly resisted by the folks of Rivers State who’re resolute to precise their Will on the ballot.”
The PDP Spokesman additional stated: “The Police and the APC ought to notice that the folks of Rivers State are peace-loving and law-abiding however won’t ever permit anyone by no matter means to stifle, abridge, applicable or subvert their Will particularly in selecting who governs them, notably on the Native Authorities stage.
“The PDP calls on Nigerians and the Worldwide Neighborhood to carry the APC and the Inspector Basic of Police accountable ought to there be any breakdown of Regulation and Order in Rivers State right now. The Inspector Basic of Police ought to notice that he’s obligation sure below the Structure to offer the enabling and safe atmosphere for the graceful conduct of the Rivers State Native Authorities Space election no matter the place he stands as a person.”
Opposite directive
Urging get together members and Rivers folks to shun the election, Rivers State PDP Chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron, stated no one ought to take part in or permit the conduct of any native authorities election that’s in defiance to court docket judgment.
Aaron stated: “The PDP, having reviewed all of the instances referring to the native authorities elections, concludes as follows: We can not assist or promote lawlessness, or impunity in any type in any respect although we’re the ruling get together in Rivers State.
“The right court docket judgment have to be obeyed as we can not select which order of the court docket to obey and to not obey. We, subsequently name on the Rivers State Governor who by the way is a member of our nice get together, the PDP, to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal Excessive Court docket in keeping with our character and ethics of our get together, the PDP and droop the deliberate October 5 Native Authorities elections in Rivers State.”
Aaron thanked the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee for complying with the court docket’s judgment, saying INEC had clarified that it didn’t launch the Voters Register to the Rivers State Unbiased Electoral Fee, a crucial requirement for the election.
He counseled the Nigerian Police for standing by the Federal Excessive Court docket judgment, cautioning that saying election outcomes regardless of the suspension can be thought-about an invite to violence.
“We additionally name on our members and certainly the law-abiding residents of Rivers State to defend the rule of regulation by guaranteeing full compliance with the judgment from the Federal Excessive Court docket.”
APP backs RSIEC, disowns factional group in Rivers
Supporting conduct of the election, the Motion Peoples Social gathering, APP, disowned a factional group in Rivers State that claims to be the get together’s genuine management within the state.
In an announcement in Abuja, yesterday, the get together’s Nationwide Chairman, Chief Uche Nnadi, referred to the group as mere impostors who’ve by no means been get together officers and referred to as on the Inspector Basic of Police, IGP to arrest and prosecute them.
The get together stated it recognised Chief Sunny Nwokekoro because the Rivers State Chairman of the get together, who changed Hon Kenneth Atata, the previous chairman, helps the choice of the RSIEC to proceed with the conduct of the election.
Governor Eno, Senate President Akpabio brag in A/Ibom
In Akwa Ibom, the ballot is a two-horse race between the ruling PDP and important opposition APC although 12 events are collaborating within the election.
Going into the ballot, Governor Eno has boasted that PDP candidates wouldn’t must battle to win.
However Senate President Akpabio believes the PDP can not dismiss the APC within the LG election.
Present of drive
With Governor Eno and Senator Akpabio carrying the load of their respective events on their shoulders, it was a dramatic present of drive within the campaigns heading to the election.
Addressing the mammoth crowd on the Uyo Township Stadium throughout flag off of their campaigns, Eno instructed PDP candidates: “Go, promote your programmes to the folks, emboldened by the belief we now have earned of Akwa Ibomites. You don’t must battle with what to marketing campaign with. Merely go, marketing campaign based mostly on the sterling information we now have created.
“Let there be no bitterness, mudslinging. Concentrate on what you need to do in your folks. Speak much less and do extra. No want for name-calling or violence of any method.”
On his half, Akpabio in the course of the flag off of the APC campaigns at Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio instructed APC trustworthy: “I promised I used to be going to take you to the centre. Are you not on the centre now? That is only the start. We’ll full it.
“There are individuals who say allow us to dismiss APC, that APC doesn’t exist in Akwa Ibom. No one can dismiss APC in Akwa Ibom. You haven’t seen something but. I’ll embarrass you with tasks, with appointments and empowerment.”
Police battle-ready in Jigawa
In Jigawa State, the State Police Command introduced a collection of measures to make sure hitch-free election at present, warning that the complete weight of the regulation can be introduced on anyone or group of individuals, who try to hinder the graceful and orderly conduct of the train.
The Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, in an announcement Thursday in Dutse re-iterated that the Police had concluded all safety preparations to make sure that the train was carried out peacefully.
For a begin, the command has positioned restrictions on all types of vehicular actions starting from 12:00 am on Friday, October 4 to six:00 pm on Saturday, October 5, with doable exceptions for these on important duties reminiscent of JISIEC officers, Election Observers, Ambulances to medical emergencies, and Hearth Fighters, amongst others.
BSIEC declares readiness, distributes delicate supplies
The Benue State Unbiased Electoral Fee, BSIEC, yesterday, distributed delicate supplies to the 23 Native Authorities Areas, LGAs, of the state.
BSIEC Info Officer, Mrs Marvis Toryem, instructed the Information Company of Nigeria that distribution is a part of preparations for native authorities elections slated for Saturday.
Benue LG polls a litmus take a look at for 2027 – PDP Chairman
In the meantime, Mr Ezekiel Adaji, Benue State Chairman of the PDP has stated that the get together would use at present’s ballot as a litmus take a look at for 2027. Adaji acknowledged this on Friday in Makurdi when he took over the management of the get together within the state.
The chairman expressed confidence that the get together would win overwhelmingly on Saturday to herald the get together’s successes in subsequent elections. In line with him, the council polls will ship a sign to the APC that in 2027 it would not be in energy.
States in scramble for LG polls
Akwa Ibom October 5
Rivers October 5
Jigawa October 5
Benue October 5
Plateau October 9
Kogi October 19
Kaduna October 19
Kano October 26
Cross River October 26
Nasarawa November 2
Abia November 2
Ogun November 16
Ondo Jan 18, 2025
Katsina Feb 15, 2025
Osun Feb 22, 2025