October 03, (THEWILL) – Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has declared Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4, 2024, as public holidays.
The Governor, in a state-wide broadcast to the people of Rivers on Wednesday, said the holidays would enable residents of the state to travel to their various communities to participate in the local council elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Consequently, Governor Fubara announced strict restrictions on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday, October 4 to 5.00 pm on Saturday.
“My dear people of Rivers State, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the chairmen and councillors of the 23 local councils on June 17, 2023, I lawfully instituted caretaker committees to temporarily administer the 23 local councils pending the conduct of local council elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in the state.
“I assure every resident that the election for the 23 local councils in Rivers shall be held on Saturday, October 5, 2024, throughout the state.
“The State Government has provided the necessary funds and logistics for RSIEC, which has assured me that it is fully prepared and ready to conduct and deliver a fair, free, and credible local council election as scheduled.
“The legal standing of RSIEC to conduct these elections was further solidified by a Rivers State High Court judgement on September 4, 2024, which directed the use of the 2023 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Voters’ Register.
“Over 10 states have conducted local government elections using the 2023 INEC Voters’ Register since the Supreme Court’s judgement, and Rivers State cannot be an exception.
“To this end, I declare Thursday and Friday, October 3 and 4, 2024, as public holidays for citizens to travel to their communities and participate in the election.
“I urge all registered voters to go to their polling units to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidates of their choice, as security personnel would be there to maintain order and ensure peaceful polls as a matter of constitutional duty.
“Further, I place a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within and out of the state, and the local council from midnight of Friday, October 4, 2024, to 5.00 pm on Saturday, October 4, 2024, except for persons and vehicles valid identifications, who are on election and other essential duties,” he said.
Governor Fubara said the police and other security agencies have clear directives from the state’s Security Council to arrest and prosecute any person or group who attempts to violate the restriction on human and vehicular movements on election day.
