The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has called on its members and residents of the state to refrain from participating in tomorrow’s local government council elections.
The PDP also cautioned the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, against proceeding with the local government area elections, as it would be in violation of the Federal High Court’s ruling.
The PDP State Chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron, in Port Harcourt on Friday stressed that nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections, adding that it is in defiance to the court’s judgment.
He emphasized the party’s dedication to maintaining the rule of law, stating that both the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and the state government do not have the authority to selectively obey or disregard court orders.
Aaron said: “The PDP, having reviewed all the cases relating to the local government elections, concludes as follows: We can not support or promote lawlessness, or impunity in any form whatsoever even though we are the ruling party in Rivers State.
“The proper court judgment must be obeyed as we can not choose which order of the court to obey and not to obey.
“We, therefore call on the Rivers State Governor who incidentally is a member of our great party the PDP to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with our character and ethics of our party, the PDP and suspend the planned October 5 Local Government elections in Rivers State.”
He added: “We also call on our members and indeed the law-abiding residents of Rivers State to defend the rule of law ensuring full compliance with the judgment from the Federal High Court.
“Nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections in deviance from the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“We want to thank the INEC for standing on the part of the truth, clearing the air on the non-release of Voters Register to RSIEC and for complying with the Federal High Court judgment.
“We also commend the Nigerian Police for standing up to the Federal High judgment being the latest on the Rivers State Local government elections.
“We want to caution that any attempt to announce any results whatsoever will be an invitation to violence and will be properly revisited as no election will be held in Rivers State on the 5th of October as ordered by the court.”
