Accreditation and voting have officially started in the Ikoku area, specifically in units 14 and 15 of Port Harcourt City (Ward 18), as residents engage in the Rivers State local government elections today, Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Voter participation is anticipated to be high as residents cast their ballots to select their local council leaders. Witnesses reported that election officials are present on-site, facilitating a smooth process with voters queuing for timely accreditation.
The state government has encouraged citizens to verify their polling units and turn out in large numbers, highlighting the importance of local government elections in addressing community issues and enhancing grassroots governance. “Accreditation and voting begin at the Ikoku area (units 14 and 15) in Port Harcourt City (Ward 18),” a local official confirmed.
Earlier reports from SaharaReporters indicated that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the local government elections as scheduled. The RSIEC made a clear statement late Friday, declaring, “For the avoidance of doubt, we emphasize unequivocally that the Local Government Council Elections in Rivers State will hold as scheduled, and there is no going back.”
This assertion was echoed by the Commissioner for Civil Education/Public Affairs, Tobin Tamunotonye, who cited the RSIEC Law of 2018, a recent court judgment, and the 1999 Constitution, all of which empower the commission to oversee local government elections. He noted that non-sensitive materials have been dispatched to polling units across the state, and updated 2023 voter registers are available at all 6,366 polling locations.
The commission highlighted that the elections are “critical and in line with the order on RSIEC from the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” and assured that polling centers would open on schedule as materials have been successfully transported to distribution points.
Additionally, the RSIEC addressed rumors regarding its Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Retired), asserting that he has not resigned, contrary to false claims circulating in the media. The commission described these rumors as “mischievously false” and emphasized that Enebeli remains in charge.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian police announced their withdrawal from providing security for the elections, citing a court order. This decision has sparked significant backlash, with Nigerian Bar Association President Afam Osigwe condemning the police’s stance. He stressed that ensuring safety and security is a constitutional obligation that cannot be overridden by any court ruling.
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