PDP Urges Rivers Voters to Defend Democracy, Warns Police Against Disruption

• The Peoples Democratic Party urges Rivers State residents to vote in the upcoming local government elections, emphasizing their constitutional rights to participate
• PDP condemns police actions that threaten the electoral process, asserting that no court can halt the scheduled elections under the Electoral Act

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the people of Rivers State to exercise their constitutional right by voting in large numbers in the Local Government Area election scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The party also cautioned the Nigeria Police not to disrupt the democratic process, emphasizing that control of civil democratic activities belongs to the people and cannot be infringed upon by any individual or organization.

In a statement on Friday, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, reaffirmed that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is fully prepared to conduct the election, with all necessary materials in place, as required by the Supreme Court’s ruling.

He emphasized that no court can halt elections under the Electoral Act 2022.

Ologunagba pointed to Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, which states, “Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections under the Act pending the determination of a suit.”

He criticized attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Police to undermine the election process, calling them a violation of the people’s will and a disregard for the rule of law.

The PDP also condemned the reported invasion of RSIEC facilities by police officers, allegedly aimed at disrupting the election. The party praised the Rivers people for resisting this attempt and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring their voices are heard at the polls.

The PDP urged Nigerians and the international community to hold the APC and the Inspector General of Police responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.

Ologunagba reminded the Inspector General of Police of his duty to provide a secure environment for the election, regardless of his stance, and called on him to act professionally in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy and stability.