Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, 2024, as public holidays to enable residents to travel to their communities and participate in the upcoming Local Government elections, scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
The announcement was made during a statewide broadcast at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
In his address, Governor Fubara also announced a restriction on vehicular movement starting at midnight on Friday, October 4, lasting until 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.
“I wish to assure every resident that the election for the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State shall be held on Saturday, 5th October 2024 throughout the State,” the Governor stated.
He emphasized that the state government had made all necessary provisions, including funding and logistics for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), which has confirmed its readiness to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.
Read Also:
Rivers LG election: Fubara’s supporters say APC will vote for APP
Rivers LG election: Commercial drivers ready to convey election officials, materials
Governor Fubara encouraged all registered voters to participate actively in the election, assuring them that security personnel would be on the ground to maintain peace and order. He urged voters to head to their polling units and exercise their right to vote for their preferred candidates.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to enable all registered voters to travel to their communities to participate and peacefully exercise their civic responsibility at their polling units,” he added. In line with this, the Governor declared public holidays on October 3 and 4 to facilitate residents’ movement to their communities for the election.
Additionally, he announced a total ban on vehicular and human movement across the state and its Local Government Areas from midnight on Friday, October 4, until 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 5. Exceptions would only be made for individuals and vehicles with valid identification performing election-related or essential duties.
Governor Fubara also expressed appreciation to the state’s security agencies for their cooperation in ensuring a peaceful election, warning that anyone found violating the movement restriction would be arrested and prosecuted.
“As citizens, we all owe our State the commitment to support the RSIEC to succeed in delivering on its constitutional duty to conduct a free, fair, and credible Local Government Council election,” the Governor concluded.
