Rivers LG polls: PDP holds anti-election protest to DSS, Police

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday morning demonstrated its opposition to the planned local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, with a massive protest.

The party, which had earlier announced its opposition and non-participation in the election, mobilized its supporters from all 319 wards across the 23 local government areas of the state for a peaceful protest.

They called on the police and other security agencies to ensure the enforcement of a court order allegedly barring the conduct of the election.

Led by the State Chairman of the PDP, Chukwuemeka Aaron, the protesters, numbering in the thousands, defied the early morning heavy rain and marched from the PDP Secretariat on Aba Road, past the office of the Department of State Services (DSS), and to the State Police headquarters.

Among the protesters were strong loyalists of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, including National Assembly members Kingsley Chinda, Dumnamene Dekor, and former Chief of Staff to the Government House, Engr. Emeka Woke.

Several former elected chairmen, including Erastus Awotu of Andoni Local Government and Chidi Lloyd of Emohua, were also spotted among the protesters.

At the police headquarters, the PDP Chairman explained the reason for the protest: “We are here to submit a petition to you from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by me. Attached to this letter is a court order and the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024.

“In that order, it was expressly stated that RSIEC should not proceed with the election. The same judgment also ordered that INEC should not provide them with the voter register, and security agencies were instructed not to participate in the election.

“As law-abiding citizens, we believe in justice, equity, and the rule of law. That is why we are here to tell you that the Governor and RSIEC should obey the court’s judgment.

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No one is above the law. As a party, we are not going to participate, and if they go ahead with the election and a crisis ensues, we will not stand by idly. That is why we are pleading with the security agencies to stop them from holding the election.”

Responding, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Adepoju Olugbenga, who received the protesters on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, Olatinji Disu, thanked them for conducting the protest peacefully and orderly.

“Thank you very much. On behalf of the Commissioner of Police, who is unavoidably absent, I want to thank you for sending in this letter earlier. I also appreciate you for following due process in requesting security for this protest. We are pleased with the way you conducted yourselves, and I will ensure that your letter reaches the Commissioner, who will forward it to the necessary authorities for action. Please continue to maintain this level of discipline,” he said.

The protesters also submitted their petition to the DSS, who promised to forward it to the appropriate authorities.