PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has confirmed that local government elections will proceed as scheduled, despite the Nigerian Police Force pulling out of providing security for the process.
The commission said materials had already been distributed to over 6,300 polling units across the state.
In a statement late Friday, October 4, 2024, RSIEC Commissioner for Civil Education and Public Affairs, Tobin Tamunotonye, reaffirmed that the elections, slated for October 5, 2024, would go ahead as planned.
“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,” the commission said.
Citing the RSIEC Law of 2018 and a September 2024 judgment by Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court, the commission asserted its authority to conduct local government elections in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
The commission noted that it had transported non-sensitive materials to all 6,366 polling units, with voter registers also made available to election staff.
RSIEC emphasized the importance of the election, describing it as “critical and in line with the order on RSIEC from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Additionally, RSIEC refuted rumors that its Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Rtd), had resigned.
“The above claim is mischievously false, baseless, and a fabricated lie from the pit of Hell calculated to mislead the public. For the avoidance of doubt, the Chairman/Chief Electoral Commissioner is still in charge and has not resigned as maliciously circulated across the media space,” the commission stated.
The Nigerian Police Force had earlier announced its decision to withdraw from providing security for the election, citing a court order.
This move has sparked criticism, with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Afam Osigwe, condemning the police for neglecting its constitutional duty.
“Providing security and ensuring the safety of lives is a constitutional duty for the police, and no court can upturn such,” Osigwe remarked.
Despite these challenges, voting is expected to proceed with polling centers opening on time.
