Written by John Arechenu, Abuja
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned the police not to derail democracy in Rivers State.
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The commission also called on the people of the state to assert their sovereignty and constitutional rights by coming out en masse to vote in tomorrow’s local government elections.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
The NWC’s position is in sharp contrast to the position of some party members in Rivers State to boycott the vote.
Ologunagba said: “The PDP maintains that the right of civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federal unit belongs to the people of the state at large.
“And such rights, including participation in local government elections, cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any pretext.
“The party insists that the people of Rivers State are ready for the elections.The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has also secured the necessary operational materials to conduct the elections in line with the Supreme Court judgment. Prepare, prepare and hold and no court has any authority under the Elections Act 2022 (as amended) to stop the election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, section 84(15) of the Elections Act 2022 provides that “nothing in this section shall authorize a court under that Act to suspend the holding of a primary or general election pending determination of the action. It is not something that can be given.”
“PDP is against the will of the people against the will of the people to abridge, sabotage and disrupt the smooth conduct of the Rivers State local government elections by the APC-controlled police, the Supreme Court judgment, the Electoral Law (Amendment) 2022; 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Reports of infiltration of RSIEC facilities by police personnel allegedly to disrupt the conduct of elections are a direct affront to our democracy and the rule of law. It was staunchly resisted by determined Rivers State people.
“The police and the APC believe that the people of Rivers State are peace-loving and law-abiding, but that their will should be suppressed, abridged, misappropriated and subverted by any means necessary, especially when it comes to electing rulers. It should be noted that “at the local government level”
“PDP calls on Nigerians and the international community to hold the APC and the Inspector General of Police accountable for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State at this time.
“The Inspector General of Police, irrespective of his personal capacity, should note that he has a constitutional duty to provide a secure environment for the smooth conduct of elections in the Rivers State Local Government Area.
“The mandate calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-won democracy and stability of our nation, Nigeria.
“Our party salutes the courage and fortitude of the people of Rivers State in their determination to protect their right to participate in the process of selecting their leaders.
“PDP supports the desire of the government and Rivers people to peacefully elect representatives to democratically manage the affairs of the 23 local governments in the state in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
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