The ongoing crisis within the opposition Democratic Party (PDP) has created confusion regarding the party’s position on the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
The PDP’s National Labor Committee urged party members to participate in the election, while state chapters issued directives advising them to boycott the exercise.
The disagreement reflects a deep rift between Governor Siminari Fabara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has been embroiled in conflict recently.
Following the party congress held last month, Wike consolidated his control over Rivers PDP. In retaliation, Hubala reportedly instructed his loyalists to defect to Allegiance (APP) in order to contest the election, marking a dramatic shift in allegiance.
Recognizing that state government officials have significant influence over local government elections and their outcomes, Wike’s supporters have continued to challenge the electoral process, even though they initially challenged the legitimacy of the elections in court. chose to withdraw from.
However, Tomihara remains determined to proceed with the election and emphasizes his commitment to the political process.
In a statement issued late on Friday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon Howard, said: Mr. Debo Ologunagba called on the people of Rivers State to assert their sovereignty and constitutional rights by participating in the elections. He encouraged voters to come out to the polls en masse and make their voices heard amidst the political turmoil.
As the situation unfolds, contrasting directives from the national and state chapters of the PDP highlight internal divisions and power struggles that continue to challenge the party’s unity and effectiveness in the region.
He said: “The PDP believes that the right to civilian control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federal unit belongs to the people of the state at large and that such rights, including participation in local government area elections, cannot be abridged or misappropriated by the state government. They claim that it cannot be done.” Includes any individual, group, or organization under any name.
“The party insists that the people of Rivers State are ready for the elections.The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has also prepared, prepared and prepared the necessary operational materials to conduct the elections in line with the Supreme Court judgment. “For the avoidance of doubt, Article 84, Section 15 of the Election Act 2022 provides as follows: “Nothing in this section shall authorize a court under this Act to suspend the conduct of a primary or general election pending determination of the action.”
“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. It should be noted that there is a constitutional obligation to provide a secure environment for the smooth conduct of elections in Rivers State Local Government Area.”
However, the Rivers PDP Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, has called on party members not to participate in or allow the conduct of local government elections.
“The PDP has considered all cases related to local government elections and has concluded that although we are the ruling party in Rivers State, there is no illegality in any way,” Aaron said at a press conference. “We cannot support or encourage acts of impunity.” .
“As we cannot choose which order of the court we will follow or not, we must abide by the judgment of the appropriate court.We therefore have to comply with the judgment of the appropriate court, which happens to be our great political party, PDP We call on the Rivers State Governor to fully and strictly abide by the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with the character and ethics of our party, the PDP. We are suspending local government elections.”
He commended the Nigeria Police Force for upholding the Federal High Court’s ruling, warning that announcing election results despite the suspension would be seen as an invitation to violence.
“We also call on our members, and indeed the law-abiding residents of Rivers State, to uphold the rule of law by fully complying with the judgment of the Federal High Court,” he said.
