The Rivers State APC has rejected plans to hold local government elections on August 30, warning the exercise could disenfranchise voters and breach a Supreme Court ruling on updated voter registers
Political tensions are rising in Rivers State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) plan to conduct local government elections on August 30.
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The party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, said the exercise risks disenfranchising new voters and violating a Supreme Court ruling that requires updated voter registers.
He urged RSIEC to delay the polls until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) completes its continuous voter registration in the state.
“I do not think you’re supposed to have an election in the middle of voter registration, given that many who have attained voting age this year will be alienated or disenfranchised,” accusing RSIEC of selectively adopting decisions from the dissolved 6th commission led by Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.).
The APC’s stance adds to growing opposition from civil society groups, political figures, and an ongoing court case seeking to stop the exercise.
Critics argue that RSIEC and the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), lack the legitimacy to oversee the polls under the current emergency rule.
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However, RSIEC has maintained that the August 30 date is “sacrosanct.” Godfrey Woke, Commissioner in charge of Political Parties’ Affairs, Monitoring, and Security, said the March voters register remains valid and candidate screening for chairmanship, vice-chairmanship, and councillorship positions is already underway.
