Chaos erupted at Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City local government area as Nigerian Police operatives arrived in 21 Hilux patrol vans, firing teargas and scattering voters and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) officials.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Heavily armed policemen, some masked, ordered RSIEC officials to remove their vests and leave the venue, disrupting accreditation in Ward 19.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as panicked, with teargas canisters fired directly into the crowd, causing residents to flee in confusion.
Electoral officers, voters run in Port Harcourt
Many RSIEC officials, voters, and residents ran into nearby Boms streets, creating tension in the area.
When contacted, Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, claimed unawareness of the incident, saying, “I’m not aware. You are just telling me now.”
The sudden police intervention raises concerns about electoral interference and the integrity of the local government elections in Rivers State.
Rivers State has been experiencing tension ahead of its local government elections due to multiple court injunctions challenging the process. Initially, the police announced their withdrawal from the election following a court judgment. However, in a surprising turn of events, police personnel were spotted providing security for voters on Saturday morning, contradicting their earlier statement.
The election controversy is largely seen as a power struggle between current Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The two have been at odds since Fubara took office, with their latest disagreement centering on the leadership structure of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
This development highlights the complex political dynamics in Rivers State, with the election outcome potentially impacting the balance of power between Fubara and Wike’s factions.
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Jonathan warns Wike, Fubara
Legit earlier reported that Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of Nigeria, has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, to exercise caution over local government election in the state.
The former president also called on the National Judicial Commission to address the conflict of judgment emerging on the election.
Jonathan maintained that Rivers is the gateway to the Niger Delta region while describing the political upheavals in the region to that of the old western region.