The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has described the planned conduct of the local government council elections in the state’s 22 local government areas as illegal, provocative and a waste of resources.
The proposed conduct of the election was announced on Tuesday by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
Reacting, the PDP said it unequivocally “rejects and dissociates itself from such arrangement by the Governor Rotimi Amaechi-controlled Rivers State Electoral body (RSIEC) under Prof. Ahiazu”.
“Accepting to organize such illegitimate and doubtful exercise at the 11th hour of the termination of the All Progressives Congress-led government in the state does not present the chairman and his Commission as responsible, honourable and unbiased.
“In as much as the party believes that officials off RSIEC are abreast with the provisions of the Electoral Law and guidelines, particularly as it relates to the conduct of the LG polls, we still wish to bring to their attention the section that stipulates 90 days notice to the political parties before the conduct of any election.
“The anxiety, suspicion and distrust which the rush to conduct LG polls is generating since yesterday shows that the state is not ready for another gamble by Amaechi. What the Governor ought to be doing now is to constitute May 29 Transition Committee and to ask for submission of handover notes from his Aides and Executive Council members as being done at the centre by President Jonathan.
“Our analysis of this development points to the facts that hurrying to conduct election before the end of Gov. Amaechi’s tenure (about four weeks) is done simply to justify the desires of the out going Governor, including causing political crisis in the state for the incoming Governor to contend with.
“Morally, it would be out of place to contemplate plunging the state into another phase of election at a time the tension that arose from last elections are still is our door step”.
The PDP bemoaned the sudden realization to hold the exercise, wondering why Amaechi did not give attention to it long before now when he had the opportunity and time since the tenure of the elected chairmen and councilors elapsed over a year ago.
“Gov. Amaechi and the APC leadership should explain to Rivers people genuine motive for holding LG polls now other than using it as means of siphoning State resources, fomenting crisis in the state and putting in known elements at the various Local Government Areas that will act as a cog in the wheel of the laudable development programmes to be initiated by the incoming government in the state.
“We’re also aware that Governor Amaechi has concluded plans to use his rubber stamp members of the non functioning House of Assembly to amend the laws on conduct of LGA elections mid way in the State to enable him continue with the exercise having realised the legal lacuna. This is another way of destroying the fortune and democratic system, as well as perverting justice in the State by a desperate Amaechi.”
The PDP, therefore, called on Rivers State people to ignore the announcement by the Rivers State Electoral Commission, calling for their participation in the proposed election.
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