Hundreds of supporters loyal to former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, staged a large protest in Port Harcourt on Saturday as local government elections got underway.
The protesters, carrying placards with messages such as “Obey Court Order” and “No Justice, No Election,” gathered at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters, demanding compliance with a recent High Court ruling.
The demonstration was sparked by dissatisfaction with the ongoing elections, which Wike’s supporters claim are being conducted in violation of legal directives.
The protesters urged the RSIEC to halt the elections and follow the court’s judgment, which had ordered the suspension of the polls due to legal disputes surrounding the process.
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One protester, speaking to the press, expressed frustration over the RSIEC’s decision to proceed with the elections despite the court’s ruling.
“We are here because RSIEC has refused to honor the High Court’s decision. This election should not be taking place until the legal issues are resolved,” he said.
The Rivers State High Court had recently issued a ruling to suspend the elections following legal challenges that questioned the integrity of the electoral process. Wike’s supporters have been vocal in their calls for the elections to be postponed until these issues are addressed.
As the protests continued, there were concerns over potential disruptions to the local government elections in various parts of the state.
The RSIEC, however, has not yet issued an official response to the demonstrators’ demands, leaving the situation tense as polling continued across Rivers State.