The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has submitted a petition to the police and Department of State Services (DSS), attaching a court judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu on September 30.
The judgment restrained the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from conducting local government elections due to non-compliance with electoral requirements.
According to PDP State Chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, the judgment also barred the state government and security agencies from participating in the election and prohibited INEC from releasing the voter register.
Chukwuemeka emphasized that as law-abiding citizens, they will not stand idly by while the election is conducted in defiance of the court order.
He stressed that the election should be held, citing the need to obey the court order.
“No one man is bigger than the law. We believe in the rule of law and want every person to comply with that judgment,” he said.
This development came as hundreds of protesters, comprising members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and loyalists of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, took to the streets of Port Harcourt on Thursday morning, calling for the suspension of the local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024.
The protesters marched from the PDP secretariat to the Department of State Security Service (DSS) office and Police Headquarters, citing a Federal High Court judgment stopping the elections in the state.
The protest was sparked by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) insistence on conducting the polls despite the court order.
However, Chukwuemeka addressed party faithful and supporters at the DSS office and Police Headquarters, where they submitted their protest letters.
Aaron emphasized that the PDP, as a law-abiding party, has complied with the judgment by opting out of the election.
He called on the police and DSS to prevail on the government to comply with the judgment, warning that proceeding with the election would cause a crisis in the state.
“We are law-abiding citizens, and we will not participate in an election that has been stopped by a court,” Aaron said. “We urge the state government and RSIEC to respect the rule of law and suspend the elections to avoid mayhem.”
The protesters, who carried placards and banners, chanted slogans demanding the suspension of the elections. The atmosphere remained peaceful, with security personnel present to maintain order.
Meanwhile, the protest was led by notable supporters of the FCT minister such as House of Representatives Minority Leader, Okechukwu Chinda, House of Representatives Chairman on Host Committees Committee, Dumnamene Dekor, Emeka Woke – NOSDRA DG, Kelechi Nworgu representing Etche/ Omuma Federal Constituency, former House of Representatives member, Emma Deeyah, Rep Felix Nwaeke representing Tai/ Oyigbo Federal Constituency, former state PDP chairman, Desmond Akawor.
Others include former local government chairmen such as Chidi Lloyd (Emohua), Erastus Awortu (Andoni), Obarillomate Ollor (Eleme), Hope Ikiriko (Ahoada West), George Ariolu (Obio/Akpor) amongst others.