The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that it would go ahead with the local government election in the state as was previously scheduled. This was communicated in a statement released by its Commissioner for Civil Education/Public Affairs, Tobin Tamunotonye.
While quoting the RSIEC LAW of 2018 and the judgment of Hon Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the High Court of Rivers State delivered on 4th September 2024, and the 1999 Constitution, Tamunotonye said the agency had been empowered to conduct local government elections in the state.
He further said that the commission had transported non-sensitive materials to polling units across the state, and the updated 2023 voter registers have been made available at all 6366 polling units.
Recall that the Nigerian police had previously stated that it would pull out of providing security for the election, citing a court order.
This development was however, met with critical reactions. One of such strong reactions came from the Nigeria Bar Association President, Afam Osigwe, who condemned the police for its standpoint, adding that providing security and safety of lives was a constitutional duty for the police and no court was able to upturn such.
