Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office on Friday, demanding that the local government elections set for Saturday proceed as planned. The crowd, undeterred by heavy rain, sang and chanted slogans like “Election must hold,” while blocking part of the road near the commission’s office.
The protest followed a tense standoff between the Rivers State governor and the police. Earlier on Friday morning, the governor had arrived at the RSIEC office to stop what he claimed was an attempt by the Rivers State Police Command to take over the premises. The governor expressed his displeasure with the police’s actions, stating, “Keep your security, I do not need it. It happened in Anambra State. This election must hold on Saturday. The result will be declared, the winners will be sworn in.”
Tensions had been mounting after an alleged attempt to disrupt the elections. According to reports, around 1 a.m. on Friday, a group of men, dressed in police uniforms, tried to gain access to the RSIEC office. The group reportedly aimed to steal sensitive election materials crucial for Saturday’s local government polls. However, alert security officials thwarted the plan and quickly notified key personnel at the commission, who then informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
A source familiar with the incident, who wished to remain anonymous, told PUNCH, “The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities.”
Note that the Rivers State Police Command has pulled its officers from providing security for the election, citing a Federal High Court ruling. This decision added to the uncertainty surrounding the poll, which has now become a heated political issue.
