Rivers State Governor Siminalai Hubala has confirmed that the next local government elections will be held as scheduled on October 5, 2024, despite a court order from the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Naija News reports that Justice Peter Riff of the Federal High Court in Abuja has prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing its voter list to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the conduct of elections. Ta.
The court also prohibited the Inspector General of Police and the State Department from providing security.
He also stopped RSIEC from accepting voter registrations from INEC or using them for the October 5 polls.
Judge Riff condemned the fixation of the election date on October 5, even though all relevant laws guided by the RSIEC were not complied with.
However, Hubara said that legally there are no obstacles that would stop the election from being held.
He urged political parties and candidates vying for various positions in the election, as well as voters, to be diligent in preparing to vote for their preferred candidates for new political leadership at the council level.
Shortly after inspecting some sections of the 12.5km-long, N225.1 billion Trans-Kalabari road project on Monday, the governor insisted that elections would be held on October 5.
In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi, the Governor said: “The RSIEC has already told me that an order has been issued ordering elections to be held on October 5, 2024, and the security authorities are also doing so” to support them.
“So I think the election will be held on that order. I may not be a lawyer, but I know they have what they call a pre-emptive order. , we will provide them with all the support they need to have that election, one of the best free and fair elections ever held in this state.”
Hubala warned those he called misguided comrades and bad elements of the RSIEC who are planning to sabotage the elections in order to regain their footing.
“What’s important to me is the interest of Rivers State and it must survive. It doesn’t belong to anyone. I don’t care who nominated you, but do the right thing. That’s important to me because if we make a mistake today, it will stay with us forever.
“Nobody has the right to come here. This is the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. It belongs to Rivers State and I am the governor. So if anything happens, please tell me, I am here myself. I’m coming,” he said.
