Abuja court can’t stop Rivers State LG Election, says Fubara

Governor Fubara, who was speaking during an inspection tour of the Trans-Kalabari Road project, expressed confidence that the election will proceed as scheduled.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reiterated that the upcoming local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, will go ahead as planned despite a recent court ruling that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The governor’s declaration comes on the heels of a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which faulted RSIEC for fixing the election date without complying with relevant laws. The court also barred INEC from releasing the certified voter register to RSIEC until the law is fully complied with.

However, Governor Fubara, who was speaking during an inspection tour of the Trans-Kalabari Road project, expressed confidence that the election will proceed as scheduled. He noted that there is no encumbrance known to the law that would stop the conduct of the election.

The governor’s assertion was made despite the court’s order, which has been described as “judicial confusion” and “conflict of decision” by the Action Peoples Party (APP). The party’s national chairman, Uchenne Nnadi, has rejected the judgment and called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the National Judicial Council to intervene and prevent the court from becoming a platform for politicians to obtain judgments and orders like commodities.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara urged political parties and candidates contesting for various positions in the election and the electorate to be enthusiastic as they prepare to vote for their preferred candidates who will become the new political leaders at the council level.

The governor also warned those planning to disrupt the election to retrace their steps, emphasizing that the interest of Rivers State must be protected. He expressed his willingness to personally intervene if necessary to ensure a peaceful and successful election.

Meanwhile, Justice Lifu’s judgment has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders in Rivers State. While some have hailed the court’s decision as a step in the right direction, others have criticized it for undermining democracy and electoral processes. The outcome of this legal battle remains to be seen, with many wondering what implications it will have on the upcoming local government election in Rivers State.