Rivers: Massive Security As PDP Stage Protest In Wake Of LG Polls

This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was yet to release the 2023 Voter Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Members of the Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party have staged a protest march to the Department of State Security office and the Government House both in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital.

Channels Television’s correspondent at the scene reported the massive presence of security officers as the protesters had initially gathered in large numbers at the PDP secretariat.

As of the time of filing this report, the large number of protesters had caused slow movement of vehicles on the road, as security officers struggled to control the crowd.

The protesters were later seen carrying placards and banners, chanting songs in protest and running along the highway.

One of the displayed banners reads “TAI people say no to lawlessness. Say no to LGA election. RSIEC must obey court judgment. SIM must obey court judgement”.

Taking off from the PDP secretariat along Aba Road Port Harcourt, they marched down to the DSS facility at Old GRA where they submitted a protest petition then they proceeded to the Government House.

They were accompanied by members of the Tony Okocha-led APC on the march.

Some stakeholders which include, former LGA chairmen, members of the House of Representatives, and former chief of staff Government House loyal to the FCT minister were in attendance.

Speaking at the DSS office, a PDP stakeholder in Rivers State, Aron Chukwuemeka said the major reason for the protest was to say no to the October 5 Local Government Elections.

This is as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it was yet to release the 2023 Voter Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Johnson Alalibo, who spoke at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said RSIEC had applied for the Register, but it was yet to be released to them because of administrative reasons.

Alalibo further confirmed that the Commission received the court judgement from Abuja barring the Commission from releasing the register.

The local government election is scheduled for October 5, 2024.