Political parties in Rivers State have kicked against those opposing the forthcoming local government elections.
They said that persons who supported the October 5, 2024, local government polls were behind the attempt to discredit the exercise scheduled for August 30, 2025, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC).
A lawyer, Innocent Ekwu, who echoed the opposition’s voices against the electoral timetable, had criticised RISIEC for issuing a 21-day notice for the exercise, saying it was illegal.
Ekwu had said: “The 21 days given by the RISIEC to conduct the Rivers State Local Government elections is illegal, unconstitutional, and an affront to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the entire exercise and the outcome will become null and void and of no effect.
“The timetable violates the provisions of the Electoral Act because the Act requires that 90 days’ notice must be given before the conduct of any election in Nigeria, and this notice given by RISIEC falls short of the requirements of the law and renders the proposed election, the entire activities leading to it, and the outcome illegal.”
But the parties under the auspices of the Rivers State Coalition of Political Parties(RSCPP) defended RISIEC and called on all stakeholders to back the commission’s efforts to return democracy to the grassroots.
Another lawyer and former Emohua Local Government Chairman, Chidi Lloyd, toed the same line with the coalition.
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In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Favour Reuben, the RSCPP said it was ‘’ironic that the very individuals who once celebrated the illegality of October 5 are now attempting to discredit the forthcoming poll.’’
The statement partly read: “The disheartening narrative is aimed at undermining the integrity of the forthcoming poll. We assure you that this electoral process is robust, transparent and free from all impediments. It is the reality backed by facts.
“ It will be conducted in strict accordance with the law establishing the RISIEC. The previous commission proposed August 9 as the election day, but the revised timetable is to ensure a properly organised process. The revised timetable addresses every crucial aspect of a credible poll.
“ The state of emergency transfered Executive and Legislative functions to the Presidency and the National Assembly. This paved the way for an experienced sole administrator and RISIEC to operate with legitimacy. RISIEC is dedicated to returning true democracy to our grassroots.
“ Some of the political parties threatening to withdraw are motivated by concerns over potential funding unavailability. We must not allow selfish interests to overshadow the immense democratic benefits that await us. We stand firm in our support of RISIEC.
“This is your opportunity to leverage your votes in favour of grassroots democracy. Let us join hands to chart a new path forward and shun violence and social vices that could tarnish our image.”
The parties argued that RISIEC only extended and readjusted the timetable to enable it to make adequate arrangements for the election.
They called on the civil society groups to unite in support of the commission to make the polls credible.
Lloyd said those against the polls should not only take the matter to court but also read a copy of the Emergency Rule Act of 2024 as amended to enable them to speak from the position of knowledge.
His words: “The lawyers opposed to the election should avail themselves a copy of the Emergency Rule Act 2024 of the National Assembly as amended. Emergency Rule Act gives the President power to make laws, give directives and to amend certain aspects of the Constitution or halt certain aspects in an emergency.
“All of these directives were given by Mr President. The one for the date was issued in July. It is important that commentators should talk from the point of knowledge and not grandstand based on their interest.
“Besides, rather than speaking on the television, the lawyers should challenge whatever they think is an anomaly. It will help to grow our jurisprudence. They should go to court.”
