Just In: Federal Court Bars INEC As Fubara Insists Rivers LGA Election Will Hold!

Governor Fubara urged political parties, candidates, and voters to remain engaged as preparations continue for the election of new council leaders.

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor made this declaration after inspecting the ongoing Trans-Kalabari Road project on Monday.

He also visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters, where he met with the commission’s chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli.

“Our election will proceed on October 5, 2024,” Fubara stated. “RSIEC has an existing court order directing them to conduct the elections and ensure support from security agencies. With this legal backing, we will provide all necessary support for the election to take place. It will be one of the best elections ever held in the state—free and fair.”

While addressing RSIEC staff, Governor Fubara mentioned reports of attempts by certain individuals to disrupt the commission’s activities. He issued a strong warning to those involved, urging them to reconsider their plans.

“My priority is the interest of Rivers State. This state belongs to all of us, not to any individual,” he said. “I don’t care who nominated you; just do the right thing. Any mistake today will impact us for years to come. This is the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and I am the Governor. If there’s any issue, inform me directly, and I will handle it myself.”

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voters’ register to RSIEC for the upcoming elections. This ruling came despite an earlier order from the Port Harcourt High Court, which instructed RSIEC to use the 2023 register for the elections.

Justice I. Igwe of the Port Harcourt High Court had issued the order on September 4, 2024, in response to a case filed by the Action People’s Party (APP) against RSIEC, the Rivers State Government, and Governor Fubara.

However, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled on Monday, blocking INEC from releasing the voters’ register for the October 5 elections. The ruling also prohibited the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the elections.

RSIEC had previously confirmed that they received the voters’ register from INEC in 2023, well in advance of the elections.