By Dennis Naku

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, declared that the October 5 Local Government election in the state remains sacrosanct, adding that no amount of propaganda, even from the judiciary or security agencies will stop the election.

He said his conviction stems from the Supreme Court’s judgment that all states in the federation should have democratically elected LG executives. And President Bola Tinubu’s 90-day window for states to comply with the judgement.

Fubara also said the substantive judgment by the Rivers State High Court that mandates the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the election was another reason for his belief.

The governor made the declaration when members of the Rivers State Inter-Party Advisory Council led by its Chairman, Solsuema Osaro, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, the state capital.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.

“I am really happy that the Chairman, IPAC, has said a few things. But, the records need to be properly presented to the public. There is no going back on the election come the 5th of October. There is no amount of propaganda, be it from the Judiciary’s end, be it from the law enforcement end, that will stop the election from holding.

“What is the reason? First, the Supreme Court has ruled that every state must migrate to elected local government executives.

“Among the states affected, 10 of these states have already held their elections, and if I am not mistaken, I stand to be corrected. They used the 2023 voters register. Outside that, Mr President, after the Supreme Court ruling, gave a window of 90 days when we went as governors to meet him, ensure that all the processes were completed.

“The issue of the court cases here and there, I can tell you, it is not an issue to stop the election. There is a substantive judgment giving the RSIEC all powers to ensure that election holds,” the statement read.

Fubara wondered “why people are scared,” saying, “And we are standing by that judgment to support RSIEC for the election.”

The governor added, “I used to hear them say before that a party is just a vehicle. If the party is just a vehicle, and today, not even my party, other parties are contesting the election, and I try to be a referee, why are they restless?

“If you feel you are strong, throw your heart into the ring. Why do you need to stop the process? Does it show any sign of sportsmanship? Does it show any sign that you love this state?

“A situation where this state will be the state that will be suspended, the activities of the civil servants will be suspended, local government workers will not earn their salaries again because you want to prove that you have some dirty power?

“So, don’t be scared when you hear one party factional chairman will just sit somewhere and announce that he will not be part of the election for whatever reason. Even that factional chairman, some months ago was bragging, saying, what is the reason holding the governor from conducting the election?” among others.

Fubara hinted at intelligence that mercenaries have been engaged within and outside the state to obstruct the elections, warning that such mercenaries will be adequately resisted.

He said, “I will also mention here, we are also aware that some mercenaries are being engaged within and outside the state. I feel sorry for whoever is going to be a victim of such a thing because I know anybody who comes to obstruct this election will meet adequate and right resistance. It’s important that we defend this democracy, and we must start defending this democracy from the one that we have control over.

He assured to make the election process free and fair and protect lives and property in the course of the election.

Earlier in his remarks, the State IPAC Chairman, Solsuema Osaro, reiterated their position to participate in the election as well as to support the state government.

Punch