Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters took to the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, protesting the planned local government elections scheduled for October 5.
Led by state chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron, the protesters defied the heavy downpour, expressing their discontent with the upcoming poll. Notable party chieftains, including former local government chairmen, joined the protest, brandishing placards and chanting slogans in support of Minister Nyesom Wike.
The protesters gathered at the PDP secretariat at 7 am before proceeding to the Department of State Services office and then the State Police Command Headquarters. They were addressed by a DSS official and later met with police officials. The protest was part of the PDP faction’s withdrawal from the October 5 poll, citing irregularities and lack of due process by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Key Protest Demands:
- Obey Court Order: Protesters called on RSIEC to obey court orders regarding the election.
- No Election: Chants of “No election in Rivers State” echoed through the streets.
- Support for Wike: Protesters showed solidarity with Minister Nyesom Wike.
Meanwhile, a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Emeka Beke, loyal to Rotimi Amaechi, declared readiness for the election, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) denied releasing the 2023 voter register for the elections. Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated that the election will proceed as planned, despite opposition.
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