Supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, staged a peaceful protest on Saturday morning near the Polio Club in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Port Harcourt.
News About Nigeria reports that the protest was to express their opposition to the ongoing local government elections in Rivers State.
The group, mostly made up of youths, gathered in numbers, claiming that no legitimate council election was taking place in the state.
With approximately 100 protesters, they cited the recent Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which directed the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from participating in the electoral process.
One of the protesters, Henry Bobmanuel, explained their stance, stating, “We are law-abiding citizens, that’s why we are not participating in the elections. We gathered here to tell the world that there is no local council election in Rivers State.”
Despite the demonstration, reports revealed that election materials were being distributed across various wards and units in some local government areas as of the time of this report.
Sensitive materials had been received by 8:45 a.m. in areas such as Bonny, Obio-Akpor, Abua/Odual, Emohua, Ikwerre, Etche, and Port Harcourt City.
At Unit 6, Ward 5, in the Okomoko community in Etche, voter accreditation was underway, while in Ward 5, Units 9, 10, and 15 in Port Harcourt City, voters were waiting at polling units, though no election materials had arrived yet.
However, in PHALGA Ward 18, Units 13, 14, and 15, voting was completed by 10 a.m.
In other areas like Rumuibekwe and Rumuekini in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, no signs of elections were reported by 9 a.m., with a few voters patiently waiting for materials.
Meanwhile, in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area, there was a large voter turnout, and the atmosphere remained peaceful.
