The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has publicly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his comments regarding the recent local government elections in the state.
The local government elections were held on October 5, 2024, despite a court ruling that prohibited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from proceeding. Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared that RSIEC had violated the law by failing to publish a mandatory 90-day notice before setting the election date. The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register and instructed the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to refrain from providing security for the polls.
Despite the court’s orders, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara went ahead with the elections. His loyalists, running under the Action Peoples Party (APP), won 22 out of 23 local government areas. The elections sparked violent clashes between supporters of Wike and Fubara.
The aftermath of the election was marred by violence. Reports indicate that Wike’s supporters set fire to the Ikwerre Local Government secretariat. There were also gunshots reported in various locations as political thugs attempted to block newly elected officials from entering their offices.
In a recent interview on Channels TV, Wike accused Fubara of undermining democracy by ignoring the court ruling. He claimed that Fubara’s attempts to remove the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, exacerbated the crisis. Wike’s accusations reflect his dissatisfaction with how the situation has unfolded.
In response to Wike’s remarks, the PDP in Rivers State came out strongly in support of Governor Fubara. Sydney Gbara, the PDP publicity secretary, urged Wike and his supporters to seek legal recourse if they were unhappy with the election outcome.
“We are aware that no court judgement can stop an electoral process,” Gbara stated. “If you are not okay with an election, you can approach the court after it is conducted. So they should go to court.”
Gbara emphasized that conducting local government elections was part of the peace initiatives outlined by President Bola Tinubu in 2023. He reminded the public that Wike and his allies had previously pushed for the elections to take place.
“Let me take Nigerians back,” Gbara said. “At one point, they even instructed the assembly that if Fubara refuses to conduct the election, he should be impeached. It is now surprising that when the RSIEC drew out the timetable for the election, they are now doing everything possible to stop it.”
Gbara argued that the Supreme Court has mandated elected local government chairmen, and it set a time frame for states to comply. He believes that Governor Fubara is acting in accordance with the law and is committed to upholding democracy in Rivers State.
“Where has Governor Fubara gone wrong?” Gbara questioned. “The Supreme Court has given judgement prohibiting caretaker committees, and every state should have elected LG Chairmen within a specified time frame. Governor Fubara is just being obedient to the Supreme Court judgment.”
He expressed strong support for Fubara, calling him a hero for standing firm against attempts to undermine democracy in the state. “Innocent people were killed in cold blood all in a bid to frustrate the electoral process,” he lamented. “The truth is that they came late because Rivers people have decided to move on with Fubara.”
As the situation unfolds, public sentiment in Rivers State remains divided. Many citizens are calling for peace and stability in the region, while others are still uncertain about the electoral process and its legitimacy.
The violence and chaos following the local government elections raise serious concerns about the future of governance in Rivers State. With tensions still high, both factions will need to address the issues and seek a resolution to avoid further bloodshed.
Wike’s statements suggest a commitment to challenging the election results legally, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the political landscape in Rivers State.
