All has been set in place as the Rivers LGA elections are set to take place today August 29 despite all oppositions and plans to stop the election from holding by different state stakeholders.
As residents of Rivers State turn out to cast their ballots in Saturday’s local government elections (today), security forces have increased their presence throughout the state.
Six months after the Supreme Court declared the October 2024 council elections held by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission invalid, the exercise is spreading throughout 319 wards and 6,866 polling places in all 23 local government areas of the state.
According to our sources, there is a tight security presence across several areas of the state. The convoy, led by the Nigerian Police Force, featured the Nigerian Army, Navy, NSCDC, FRSC, and other allied agencies, in a bid to reassure residents of safety.
Security authorities also confirmed that a restriction of movement is in force from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday to prevent disruptions to the Rivers LGA elections.
The Rivers LGA elections are taking place under emergency rule, with Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) serving as sole administrator after the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his cabinet, following a political crisis involving Fubara and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
Most recent reports from sources have revealed that distribution of election materials for the chairmanship and councillorship for the Rivers LGA elections have commenced across all local government areas.
As of nine in the morning, dozens of party agents and ad hoc staff were observed moving materials to different polling places at a registration centre in Elekahia, Port Harcourt City LGA.
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, which oversees local government elections in the state’s 23 LGAs, 319 wards, and 4,442 polling places, is carrying out the exercise.
More details and updates on the progress of the LG elections will be brought to you as it unfolds.
Join our social media channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
