Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the Local Government election scheduled for next Saturday will hold.
He said that there is no encumbrance known to law to stop it.
The Governor urged political parties and candidates in the election and electorate to prepare for the poll designed to elect new political leaders at the council level.
Fubara spoke when he visited the complex of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) where he interacted with the Chairman of the Commission, Justice Adolphus Enebeli and other principal staff.
The Governor said: “Our election will hold on the 5th of October, 2024. I’m aware that RSIEC told me that they already had an order mandating them to conduct the election on the 5th October, 2024, and the security agencies to support them.
So, I think with that order, the election will hold. I might not be a lawyer but I know there is something they call first-in-hand, and since they have the first-in- hand, we will give them all the necessary support for that election to be conducted. And it will be one of the best elections ever conducted free and fair in this State.”
Addressing RSIEC staff, Fubara said he had been inundated with rumours of plans by some misguided fellows to disrupt activities at the commission, and warned such persons to retrace their steps.
Fubara said: “What is important to me is the interest of Rivers State, that it has to be alive. It doesn’t belong to anybody. I don’t care who nominated you but do the right thing, that is what is important to me, because if we make a mistake today, it is going to live with us forever.
“Nobody has a right to come here. This is Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. It belongs to Rivers State, and I am the Governor. So, if their is anything, let me know, I will come here myself.”
So, we just came for inspection to see the progress of the job. I can say I am not too impressed, but considering the terrain, it is not a normal strong land where you just go clean the earth and just lay your asphalt.
“But I have told them that I need more speed because this project is very important project for me. As a matter of fact, I see it as one of my legacy projects. It is important that I achieve it before we complete our tenure”.