…Acknowledges PDP’s Absence as a Loss
By Tina Amanda
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has encouraged all registered voters and political leaders to participate in the electoral process.
Addressing political stakeholders at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, ahead of the October 5th local government elections, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring stability and protecting democracy in the state, warning that no individual or group will be allowed to create confusion or instability.
He emphasized the importance of the election in sustaining democracy and assured the public of the state government’s full support.
Governor Fubara explained that the meeting was open to the media and public to reinforce the message of peace and democratic participation. “First, I want to thank every one of you for being very peaceful. You see, I didn’t make any mistake when I said, we need to follow this struggle with different tactics.
“If you have a very special egg that you are carrying, and somebody is coming to fight you, do you need to fight the person? Won’t you use your two hands to grab the basket of the egg? Even if the person is chasing you, if you run and hit your foot and the basket of eggs falls, who is going to lose, is it not you? You can see why we are very careful and are following this course with AI.
“Secondly, I want to assure you that the Local Government election is about the State. I might not be a lawyer but at least, I understand that it is a State matter.
“And, thirdly, from the beginning of this process to the end, it is within the purview of the State. It has nothing to do with any federal judicial institution to disrupt it. So, we should understand this fact and play according to the rules.
“The state government’s position is clear: this election will be conducted and concluded.”
The Governor also criticized those attempting to derail the election process, noting that 10 other states have successfully conducted elections using the 2023 voter register.
“10 States of the federation have conducted elections with the 2023 voter register. I don’t know why things in Rivers State are always different. Is it that when it comes to the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which concerns Rivers State, it’s a different thing?
“Anyway, today, we are here to assure you that as a government, we are prepared to support the electoral body in conducting a free, fair, and credible election for the peace-loving people of Rivers State.”
Despite the absence of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Governor Fubara stated that the election must proceed due to a Supreme Court ruling mandating elected officials to manage local government affairs.
“I am the greatest loser because my party, PDP, is not participating. But as governor, I must ensure compliance with the law.
“But because of the Supreme Court ruling that there must be elected officials to manage the affairs of local governments, as a Governor, I have to obey that.
“It did not end there. The President, after the Supreme Court ruling, invited us and we had an understanding that we have a compliance duration of 90 days. So, what we are doing here is to make sure that even if my party is not participating, the local council process must stand for Rivers State.
“And a good number of you here are my party faithful and you are not even benefiting from it, and you are here supporting us. So, what is the problem?
“So, I want to thank you for supporting democracy. I want to thank you for ensuring that there is a rule of law. I want to thank you for sticking your neck out to make sure that Rivers State still stands among the comity of States.”
Governor Fubara highlighted the efforts of his administration to maintain peace and stability, noting that some detractors had resorted to street protests, including hiring outsiders to create unrest.
Governor Fubara alluded that some of those on the streets are people they hired either from places like Obinze-Ngwa, boundary towns between Imo and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, and Akwa Ibom, who they brought into the city to protest.
The Governor emphasized that no matter the guise or level of ‘aluta continua’ posture that the detractors adopt, the Local Government election will go on.
“Our AI pattern of doing things has even made people turn to the chant of aluta. There was a time when they told the public that they couldn’t protest.
“Look at some of them, they are now behaving like members of labuor unions, protesting like students. They have turned to aluta professions. Going by the analysis that they posed then, we can say, there is every signal that they have failed.
“So, if today, these same persons have resolved to aluta pattern, it means that we have also won. So, we need to be very careful and follow this course with tact.”
However, he assured the stakeholders that the local government election would proceed as planned.
Governor Fubara insisted that the Local Government election will have only those residents in the State who are registered voters participating.
“Go, do what the law says you should do, as demanded by the RSIEC Law, and leave the rest. RSIEC will take it from there, and when RSIEC finishes its part, the State Government will also take it from that point and finish its part, and the process will all be consummated by the special grace of God in a few days coming.”
In conclusion, Governor Fubara called on all participants to remain law-abiding and avoid violence, thanking those who stood by the state’s democratic processes.
“We will not let the flag of Rivers State down. The government will ensure that Rivers State remains stable and free of confusion.”
