Supporters of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday morning staged a peaceful protest near the Polio Club in the Government Reserved Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, in response to ongoing local government protests in Rivers State. announced their opposition to the election. .
The group, made up mainly of young people, came together to argue that there are no legitimate parliamentary elections in the state.
The demonstrators, numbering around 100 in number, are law-abiding citizens who have responded to the recent Abuja Federal High Court judgment directing the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stay away from election activities. He said he felt compelled to comply. process.
One of the protesters, Henry Bobmanuel, made his position clear, saying: We have gathered here to tell the world that there will be no local government elections in Rivers State. ”
Despite protests, a Guardian investigation revealed that election materials were being distributed to various wards and units in some local authorities at the time of this report.
Areas such as Bonny, Obio Akpor, Abua/Oduar, Emofua, Ikwerre, Etche and Port Harcourt City received classified information by 8:45am.
Voter certification was taking place at Unit 6 of Ward 5, Okomoko community, Etche. Meanwhile, in Ward 5, Units 9, 10 and 15 in Port Harcourt City Area, voters were seen waiting at polling stations even though election materials were yet to arrive.
In contrast, PHALGA Wards 18, 13, 14, and 15 units reported that materials arrived in a timely manner and voting closed by 10 a.m.
In Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rumuibekwe and Rumuekini polling stations reported no sign of an election by 9am, although some voters remained calm as they waited for their materials to arrive.
In Baguma, Toru Asari Local Government Area, the atmosphere remained relatively peaceful as voters turned out in large numbers. Shops in the area were closed, police vans patrolled the state capital and several security vehicles were deployed near the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office.
Notably, police personnel were absent from the polling force, but other security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and local security forces, were present to ensure order.
