The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State chapter has rejected plans conduct of the Local Government Council elections in 22 LGAs in the state which was announced on Tuesday by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, describing it as illegal, provocative and a waste of resources.
The PDP said it unequivocally rejects and dissociates itself from such arrangement by the Amaechi-controlled Rivers State Electoral body (RSIEC) under Prof. Augustine Ahiazu, stating that accepting to organize such an exercise at the 11th hour of the termination of the APC-led government in the State does not present the Chairman and his Commission as responsible, honourable and unbiased.
PDP argued in as much as the party believes that officials off RSIEC are abreast with the provisions of the Electoral Law and guidelines, particularly as it relates to the conduct of the LG polls,it drew the attention the section that stipulates 90 days notice to the political parties before the conduct of any election.
PDP Chairman Felix Obuah in a statement signed by Jerry Needam,his Special Adviser on Media, said the anxiety, suspicion and distrust which the rush to conduct LG polls is generating since the plan was announced by RSIEC yesterday shows that the state is not ready for another election now.
The party said what the Governor ought to be doing now is to constitute May 29 Transition Committee and to ask for submission of handover notes from his Aides and Executive Council members as being done at the centre by President Goodluck Jonathan.
According to the party,pointed out that its analysis of this development points to the facts that hurrying to conduct election before the end of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s tenure is to justify the desires of the Governor to cause political crisis in the State for the incoming Governor to contend with.
The party said that “morally, it would be out of place to contemplate plunging the State into another phase of election at a time the tension that arose from last elections are still is our door step.”
The PDP expressed surprise by such sudden realization to conduct local government election, wondering why the Governor did not give attention to it long before now when he had the opportunity.
PDP challenged Governor Amaechi and the APC leadership to explain to Rivers people genuine motive for holding LG polls now other than using it as means of siphoning State resources, fomenting crisis in the State and putting in known elements at the various Local Government Areas that will act as a cog in the wheel of the laudable development programmes to be initiated by the incoming government in the State.
PDP said it is also aware that Governor Amaechi has concluded plans to use his loyal members of the House of Assembly to amend the laws on conduct of LGA elections mid way in the State to enable him continue with the exercise having realised the legal lacuna.
The PDP therefore, called on Rivers people to ignore the announcement by the Rivers State Electoral Commission, calling for their participation in the proposed election, saying such action by Gov Amaechi is in futility, waste of time and Rivers money.
The Rivers state Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC on Monday April announced May 23 as the date to hold Local Government Council polls in the state.
Chairman of RSIEC, Augustine Ahiazu announced this to Journalists in media briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ahiozu called on interested political parties to nominate candidates for the elections.
He said the Local council polls will be held in all the Local Government areas except Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government where the tenure of the council Chairman, Austin Ahiamdu will end later in the year.
The RSIEC said the time-table for the elections had been published.
