With the Rivers State local government elections fast approaching on October 5, tension has escalated between political factions and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the use of the voter register. A court ruling and conflicting statements between INEC and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have raised significant concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming polls.
A September 30, 2024, judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja prohibited INEC from releasing the updated voter register to RSIEC, casting doubt on the ability to conduct the election smoothly. Justice Peter Lifu issued the ruling, following a suit filed against INEC’s decision to provide the voter register for the local election. INEC was barred from releasing the register just days before the polls, adding uncertainty to an already heated electoral climate.
Interestingly, RSIEC’s Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd.), had announced on September 26 that the commission had already obtained the voter register from INEC. He claimed that RSIEC had been proactive in securing the necessary documents well in advance of the legal challenges. “We are very proactive. All the necessary correspondences were completed since last year,” Enebeli stated.
However, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State, Dr. Johnson Sinikiem, contradicted Enebeli’s statement, insisting that INEC had not officially handed over the voter register to RSIEC. According to Sinikiem, while RSIEC had made requests, no voter register had been released due to the court order. “We have not given them the register,” Sinikiem affirmed during a press briefing, adding that administrative procedures and the court’s injunction had delayed the process.
The disagreement between INEC and RSIEC adds to the growing political tension in Rivers State. RSIEC Commissioner for Public Affairs, Tamunotonye Tobins, refuted INEC’s claims, stating that the voter register had indeed been provided and that the election would proceed as planned. He pointed to extensive correspondences between RSIEC and INEC, alleging that the electoral commission’s denial was misleading.
As legal battles rage on, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara declared a two-day public holiday to allow citizens to travel home and participate in the election. Strict restrictions on movement will also be enforced during the election period to ensure security. Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to conducting the local government election, despite the ongoing controversies. “This election will comply with all legal and constitutional provisions,” the governor assured.
The factionalization within the state has spilled over into political parties as well. The All Progressives Congress (APC) is divided, with one faction, led by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, supporting the election, while another, loyal to the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, opposes it. This division threatens to undermine the credibility of the election, with accusations of illegality being thrown between rival camps.
Amidst these political tensions, the integrity of the election process hangs in the balance. As the October 5 election draws near, Rivers State remains on edge, with questions over whether the vote will be free, fair, and reflective of the people’s will.
