The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has declared its unwavering resolve to proceed with the scheduled local government elections on October 5, 2024, despite the Nigerian Police Force's controversial decision to withdraw security from the process. This announcement came late Friday via a statement issued by RSIEC's Commissioner for Civil Education/Public Affairs, Tobin Tamunotonye, dispelling any speculation of postponement.
RSIEC reaffirmed its commitment, stating, “For the avoidance of doubt, we emphasize unequivocally that the 5th October 2024 Local Government Council Elections in Rivers State will hold as scheduled, and there is no going back.”
Tamunotonye cited both the RSIEC Law of 2018 and a judgment by Hon. Justice I.P.C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court, delivered on September 4, 2024, as the legal foundation for RSIEC’s authority to conduct the local government elections. Furthermore, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution also empowers the commission to organize and execute elections at this level.
The commission emphasized that all logistics were in place for a successful election, having already distributed non-sensitive materials to polling units across the state. Additionally, the 2023 updated voter register has been made available at all 6,366 polling units, and election staff have been fully equipped to handle the proceedings. RSIEC assured that voting centers would open on time, with materials already moved to distribution points.
Further adding to the tension, the commission dismissed rumors circulating about the resignation of its Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (Retired). In a strongly worded rebuttal, RSIEC labeled the claims as “mischievously false, baseless, and a fabricated lie from the pit of Hell,” designed to mislead the public. It clarified that Justice Enebeli remains in full control of the electoral process.
However, the Nigerian Police Force’s earlier announcement that it would not provide security for the elections, citing a court order. This move has drawn widespread condemnation, with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, sharply criticizing the police for abdicating what he described as their “constitutional duty to ensure the safety of lives and property during elections.” Osigwe emphasized that no court ruling could supersede the police's responsibility to uphold public order.
This unexpected development has raised concern about the safety of voters and the integrity of the election process.
