RSIEC Office Sealed Ahead Of LG Election
The Rivers State Police Command has vehemently denied claims that it sealed the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
“The whole thing is a fabrication,” stated police spokeswoman Grace Iringe-Koko, who clarified that the police were deployed to protect the office and not to barricade it.
Amidst legal disputes surrounding the release of the voters register, RSIEC remains resolute in its preparations for the elections.
The determination of RSIEC to proceed with the elections despite a court ruling against them has not gone unnoticed by the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC faction led by Chief Tony Okocha was quick to criticise RSIEC’s defiance, labelling it as a contemptuous act.
Chibuike Ikenga, Publicity Secretary of the faction, pointed out that the APC had already obtained an order from the court restraining RSIEC from going ahead with the election and stopping the police from providing security.
Alleging that RSIEC is acting as a tool for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Ikenga voiced concerns about the implications of potential disobedience to court orders by the governor.
“Governor Siminalayi Fubara cannot be allowed to disregard court orders,” he stressed. “It is vital that the right thing is done, and he must not forget that the Federal High Court gave an order which he is disobeying.”
As tensions rise in the lead-up to the elections, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
With both sides entrenched in their respective positions, the local government elections threaten to become a focal point for political strife in Rivers State.
At the heart of the matter lies a question of democratic principles. While RSIEC insists on pushing ahead with the elections in the name of democracy, their opponents in the APC allege that this approach amounts to a disregard for the rule of law.
As the people of Rivers State look on, the stage is set for a high-stakes battle over the future of their local governance and the integrity of their democratic processes.
As the days tick down to the local government elections, the potential for conflict looms large over Rivers State.
With accusations of bias and contempt for the law being traded between the APC and RSIEC, it is becoming increasingly clear that the upcoming polls could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s political landscape.
The question now is whether cooler heads will prevail, or whether the elections will descend into chaos and violence. With tensions already running high, the stakes could not be higher for all parties involved.
As the situation continues to escalate, it remains to be seen whether the players involved will find a way to navigate the potential pitfalls and avert disaster.
If the RSIEC moves forward with the elections, the APC may protest, leading to potentially violent clashes. On the other hand, if the APC manages to stall the elections through legal means, RSIEC could face a crisis of legitimacy.
Either way, the people of Rivers State will be caught in the middle, with the prospect of social and political instability looming over them like a dark cloud.
References and Citations:
- The Source – Rivers: police command the denies dealing RSEIEC office, explain persence
- Punch – RSIEC insist on Rivers LG poll police denial occupying office
- Vanguard – Police deny sealing RSIEC office to stop LGA polls
