Special adviser commends gov
As Police boycotted exercise in compliance to IGP’s directives
Elizabeth Vincent,
The 2024 local government elections in Rivers State held as planned on Saturday October 5, by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
As expected, the election witnessed large turnout of voters, despite earlier raised among residents who suspected violence, following police withdrawal from the exercise and threats by the PDP to cause mayhem and the Tony Okocha-led faction of APC vowing to oppose the election.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, should the election go ahead against September 30 Abuja Federal High Court judgment.
Wawatimes reports that the election went peacefully across the local government especially Ahoada west area where the special adviser commended the Rivers State independent electoral commission.
Our correspondent who visited ward 1 and ward 2observed that the election went on smoothly with scores casting their votes.
Addressing newsmen after casting vote, the special adviser to the governor on political affair and strategies, Barr Forgiven Amakiri hailed the RSIEC for conducting a free, fair and credible election.
Amakiri also commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his determination and courage to ensure the election was conducted amidst counter court orders and intimidation.
“The special adviser highlighted that especially in my ward oruama unit 14 ward 2 the election was free and fair no violence anywhere in ward Ahoada west LGAs is peaceful.
“According to him nobody was forced to vote,I voted the candidate I want democracy is a game of choice and freedom is a choice that is known everywhere. “
” Furthermore he states the election is for people to exercise their franchise, nobody was deprived of voting, out of 19 political parties 18 participated this is democracy, if a particular party decides not to participate that will not diminish the outcome of the election. “