Rivers LG Election: You Are Duty Bound To Protect The Process – PDP To IGP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to mobilize force personnel to protect voters participating in the Rivers State local government election today (Saturday).

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said this in a statement on Friday. He dismissed the threat by Rivers State Police Command that police would not take part in the council election.

Ologunagba stated that the police cannot also work against the electoral process. He maintained that the people of the state and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) have shown readiness to conduct the council election.

It read in part, “The PDP insists that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the State and such right, including participation in Local Government Area election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any guise whatsoever.

“The Party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and no court under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has the power to stop elections.

“The Inspector General of Police should note that he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual.

“Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.”

The PDP said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the IGP should be held responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in the state.