On September 30, 2024, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja barred INEC from releasing the voter register to RSIEC for the upcoming October 5 elections. However, RSIEC had earlier claimed it had already received the voter register from INEC. RSIEC Chairman Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.) had stated during a flag-off event that they had acted proactively, securing the voter register before any legal challenges arose.
Contradicting this, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Sinikiem, clarified that the electoral body had not officially handed over the voter register. Sinikiem emphasized that while RSIEC had requested the document, the process was interrupted by a court order, and no soft or hard copies had been released.
The legal wrangling adds another layer of tension, with RSIEC maintaining that they followed due process and insisting they possess the updated voter register from INEC. Despite the controversy, RSIEC has assured the public of the election’s security and integrity, ruling out electronic transmission of results but vowing a free and fair process.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a statewide broadcast, declared October 3 and 4 as public holidays to enable voters to travel to their communities to participate in the election. He also announced a restriction on vehicular movement from midnight October 4 to 5 pm on election day.
The Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to Fubara, ordered RSIEC to proceed with the poll, citing compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Amidst the electoral preparation, internal party conflicts have intensified. Factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former caretaker chairman Chief Tony Okocha, clashed over their stance on the election. Okocha, an ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, criticized Fubara’s insistence on proceeding with the poll, accusing him of violating the 90-day legal requirement for election preparation. However, APC Chairman Chief Emeke Beke, loyal to Amaechi, affirmed the party’s participation, dismissing Okocha’s objections.
Additionally, a leadership crisis within the Action People’s Party (APP) has further complicated the political landscape. Plaintiffs have challenged the legitimacy of APP’s chairmanship candidates, many of whom were formerly members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The leadership dispute, fueled by the ongoing rift between Governor Fubara and Wike, has raised concerns about the future of the party ahead of the elections.
Despite the legal battles and party divisions, the Rivers local government election is set to proceed, with both state authorities and electoral bodies assuring voters of a transparent and secure process.
