Supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State took to the streets on Thursday to protest the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024. Led by the party’s state chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, thousands marched through Port Harcourt despite heavy rain, voicing opposition to the poll organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Joined by key party figures, including former local government chairmen, the protesters carried placards with messages like “RSIEC obey court order” and “No election in Rivers State.” They also expressed support for Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, chanting, “Under the rain, under the sun, we will follow Wike.”
The protesters visited the offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the State Police Command, where they lodged their complaints about the election process, citing irregularities and a lack of transparency. The PDP faction loyal to Wike, along with a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had previously withdrawn from the elections over these concerns.
Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in a statewide broadcast, declared public holidays to facilitate voter participation and affirmed that the elections would proceed despite opposition.
