PRESS RELEASE BY THE RIVERS STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS ON THE HAPPENINGS IN RIVERS STATE AS THE STATE PREPARES FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS TOMORROW, SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER, 2024.
_Gentlemen of the press!_
1. Residents of Rivers State woke up today, 4th October, 2024 to the disturbing news of some “rogue” policemen allegedly attempting to break into the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with the intent of tampering with electoral materials meant for the Rivers State Local Government Elections on Saturday, 5* October, 2024.
2. To worsen the already rising suspicion and distrust that residents of the State now have for the Nigerian Police, the Rivers State command of the force maintained that they would not provide security for the local Government elections holding on Saturday 5 October, 2024. _*As monarchs and custodians of the traditions of the people, we hereby:*_
3. Call on the *President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR*, to call the Police to order so that they do not, by their actions which are now clearly partisan, cause trouble in Rivers State.
4. Call on the President to call to order, any person or group of persons, trying to use the Police to cause a breach of peace in Rivers State, because if Rivers State is allowed for whatever political interests to return to the dark days of disorder, the nation will be the ultimate loser.
5. Call on politicians across the divides not to burn down the State because of their selfish political interests. Because if they destroy the State today, there will be no place with which to build their political structures for the realization of their future political ambitions.
6. Call on all residents of Rivers State not to be cowed by threats of violence from enemies of the State.
7. Call on eligible voters in Rivers State to come out en-mass tomorrow Saturday 5th October, 2024 to exercise their franchise by electing those that will run the 23 Local Government Councils as councilors and chairmen for the next 3 years.
8. Call on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to be firm in conducting the elections in line with global best practices.
9. Urge His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State to continue to follow the path of peace even in the face of unwarranted provocative actior from enemies of the State.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Signed for and on behalf of members of the Rivers State Council Of Traditional Rulers.
His Majesty, King Chike Anderson A. Worlu Wodo, DSSRS, JP
– Eze Oha Apara (IV)
-Chairman Rivers state Council Of Traditional Rulers.
Dr. Ogwuokwa Matthew Jonah
-Secretary To Council
