RIVERS: No litigation stopping October 5 council polls – RSIEC

In an interview today, RSIEC’s Commissioner for Public Affairs and Civic Education, Tobins Tamunotonye, refuted these claims, stating that the commission has not received any court orders that would affect the election.

He elaborated that 17 out of the 19 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), have successfully submitted their candidates from the supervised primaries.

“The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, chaired by Retired Justice Enebeli, has yet to receive any court order or judgment halting the election. At this moment, we are approximately 90 percent prepared for the elections, with candidates already screened.”

Tamunotonye also noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has opted not to participate in the local government elections, stating, “The only party that has not submitted candidates for the upcoming elections is the PDP.”

Addressing concerns about the RSIEC’s ability to conduct a credible election, Tamunotonye reassured the public of the commission’s dedication to a transparent and equitable electoral process, encouraging citizens to come out and vote.

It has been an endless drama within the political corridors of Rivers State. These political crises may have spilled to the L.G.A election as the sacked Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, had said his party would not be participating in the elections.

However, the state party chairman, Emeka Beke, has proceeded to hold primaries that have produced candidates for the October 5 council elections.

With the PDP’s decision to abstain from the elections, some members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are exploring opportunities to compete by joining the Action People’s Party (APP), a new party that is rapidly gaining visibility.