The Rivers State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have teamed up to protest the proposed October 5 Local Council elections.
The ongoing protest started in the early hours at 7:45 am as members and supporters of both parties came in trickles, converging at the PDP Secretariat at Leventist Junction.
Both parties are protesting the state governor’s insistence that the council polls must be held despite a lawsuit and court order barring him from continuing with the process.
Led by the party’s Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, PDP supporters defied heavy rain on Thursday morning to march in protest. The demonstration began at the PDP Secretariat on the Port Harcourt-Aba expressway and proceeded to the Police Headquarters on Moscow Road.
Upon arriving at the police headquarters, the protesters submitted an official petition, urging the security agencies not to participate in the upcoming LGA election.
Speaking while handing over the petition, PDP Chairman Aaron, drenched by the rain, accused the state’s governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, of disregarding the rule of law. He informed police officials that a court order currently exists, halting the election and directing police not to provide security for the poll. He called on the police to comply with the court’s directive and refrain from supporting the election.
Recall that barely 24 hours ago, the Caretaker committee chairman of the APC, Tony Okocha in a press conference had insisted that the polls would not hold, pointing out that the whole process was shredded in illegalities.
Also with the PDP, the state chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron in a press conference a few days ago stated that the party will not partake in the election because there is an existing legal battle barring the entire process.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, speaking with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Wednesday at Government House, said the election is sacrosanct.
At the time of filing this report, the protest led by the two Party chairmen and their excos had led a procession towards Azikwe Road, chanting amidst heavy security presence and protection
