The Peoples Democratic Party told the police that it has no role to play in the local government election in Rivers State scheduled for Saturday (today).
The country’s major opposition party said this on Friday just as it asked the electorates in Rivers State to participate in the local government election.
Speaking on the decision of the police not to participate in the election in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party told the police authorities to provide security cover for the exercise.
The statement asked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to act in a professional manner for the overall good of the nation.
The statement said: “The PDP insists that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the state.
“And such right, including participation in local government election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any guise whatsoever.
“The Party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and no court under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has power to stop elections.
“For avoidance of doubt, Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that ‘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’.
“The PDP in very strong term condemns the attempt by the APC-controlled Police to abridge, subvert and frustrate the smooth conduct of the Rivers State local government election against the will of the people, the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, the express provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
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“The reported invasion of RSIEC facilities by Police operatives allegedly to frustrate the conduct of the election is a direct affront to our democracy and the Rule of Law; an attempt which was firmly resisted by the people of Rivers State who are resolute to express their Will at the poll.
“The Police and the APC should note that the people of Rivers State are peace-loving and law-abiding, but will never allow anybody by whatever means to stifle, abridge, appropriate or subvert their will, especially in choosing who governs them, particularly at the local government level.
“The PDP calls on Nigerians and the international community to hold the APC and the Inspector General of Police responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State at this time.
“The Inspector General of Police should note that he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual.
“Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.
“Our Party salutes the courage and steadfastness of the people of Rivers State in their determination to defend their rights to participate in the process of electing their leaders.
“The PDP stands with the Government and people of Rivers in their desire to peacefully elect representatives that will democratically run the affairs of the 23 Local Government Areas of the State in line with the provisions of the Law.”