Protesters Storm Rivers Electoral Commission, Insist Election Must Hold

Protesters in Rivers State stormed the office of the Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on Friday, demanding that the scheduled local government election proceed as planned despite efforts to halt it. Amid heavy rainfall, the demonstrators chanted “Election must hold,” while blocking part of the road near the RSIEC office, using canopies and drums to amplify their message.

This unrest followed an early-morning intervention by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who confronted the Rivers State Police Command after they reportedly attempted to take control of the electoral commission’s premises. Expressing his frustration, Fubara insisted the election would go ahead, stating, “Keep your security, I do not need it. It happened in Anambra State. This election must hold on Saturday. The result will be declared, the winners will be sworn in.”

Tensions escalated after security forces, acting on a Federal High Court ruling, announced the withdrawal of police personnel from the Saturday election. Earlier, around 1 a.m. on Friday, security operatives thwarted an attempt by unidentified men dressed in police uniforms to infiltrate the RSIEC office. The intruders allegedly attempted to breach the gates and access sensitive electoral materials needed for the upcoming vote.

A source at the scene disclosed that the attempted takeover was foiled by alert security personnel, who informed senior commission officials and alerted the state government. This led Governor Fubara to take swift action in defense of the election.