Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced that Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, 2024, will be public holidays.
This decision aims to facilitate residents’ travel back to their communities in preparation for the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5.
In a statewide broadcast from the Government House in Port Harcourt, Fubara emphasized the importance of civic engagement and the need for residents to participate actively in the electoral process.
He believes that allowing these two holidays will give citizens ample time to return home and cast their votes, which is crucial for the democratic process at the local level.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the elections, the governor has also imposed a ban on vehicle movement from midnight on October 4 until 5 p.m. on Election Day.
This restriction is intended to maintain order and minimize disruptions, allowing election officials and voters to carry out their responsibilities without interference.
Fubara stressed that public safety is a priority, and these measures are designed to create a conducive environment for voting.
Fubara explained that the previous leaders of the 23 Local Government Councils completed their terms on June 17, 2023.
Following this, he appointed temporary Caretaker Committees to manage the councils until elections could be held. This arrangement was necessary to maintain governance and public services during the interim period.
He referenced a significant Supreme Court ruling delivered in July 2024 that prohibited unelected officials from running local councils.
This landmark decision mandated an immediate halt to the allocation of statutory funds to councils without democratically elected officials.
Fubara highlighted the necessity of conducting timely elections to restore elected leadership in these councils, which play a vital role in local governance and community development.
With the intervention of the President, the deadline for compliance with the Supreme Court ruling was extended by three months, now set to expire on October 31, 2024.
In light of this extension, the governor has directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to finalize plans for the upcoming local government elections.
Fubara confirmed that RSIEC has completed all necessary preparations, and he expressed confidence in the commission’s capability to conduct a fair and transparent election.
He pointed out that a recent judgment from the Rivers State High Court on September 4, 2024, further solidified RSIEC’s authority to use the 2023 Voters’ Register from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ensuring a reliable voter list.
Fubara noted that 17 out of the 18 registered political parties, including the All Progressives Congress, have demonstrated their willingness to participate in the elections by submitting candidates.
He emphasized that other states have successfully conducted local government elections using the 2023 INEC Voters’ Register, and he is committed to ensuring that Rivers State follows suit, reinforcing the principle of democracy at all levels of government.
As the election date approaches, the governor urges all eligible voters to take part in this vital civic duty, reinforcing that every vote counts in shaping the future of local governance in Rivers State.
