Rivers LGA Elections: Opposition Alleges Plot to Destabilize Polls

The Coalition of Opposition Lawmakers has accused members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and their sponsors of plotting to derail the upcoming local government elections through illegal amendments and court interventions.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the coalition’s spokesman, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, alleged that efforts were being made to manipulate the electoral process and frustrate the conduct of the elections.

Rivers LGA Elections: Alleged Manipulations and Political Intrigues

According to Ugochinyere, lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike are working to amend the local government law to reinstate former LGA chairmen whose tenures have already ended. He emphasized that such actions are designed to frustrate the electoral process and prevent a credible election from taking place.

“The pro-Wike lawmakers plan to amend the LGA law to obstruct the election and allow former local government chairmen, whose tenure has expired, to return,” Ugochinyere stated.

He assured Rivers residents that no illegal amendment or court injunction would stop the election, which is set for August 9th in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.

Rivers LGA Elections: PDP’s Struggles and Governor Fubara’s Stance

Beyond the local elections, Ugochinyere also accused political forces of attempting to prevent the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding a convention and entering into a merger to field a presidential candidate in future elections.

He praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his commitment to upholding democracy, despite what he described as provocation and betrayal by Wike and his loyalists.

“Governor Fubara has demonstrated exceptional leadership by implementing the Supreme Court’s ruling, even though the pro-Wike lawmakers lost their seats when they defected,” he said.

Ugochinyere further commended Nigerians for standing in defense of democracy and urged them to remain steadfast in resisting political manipulations.

“The people are rising, governors are rising, and the madness of political actors who refuse to accept due process is coming to an end,” he added.

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Rivers LGA Elections: Legal Battles and Governor’s Budget Proposal

The opposition lawmaker also disclosed that Wike’s faction is actively seeking court injunctions to halt the elections while attempting to amend local government laws mid-election.

Additionally, he revealed that Governor Fubara had submitted the 2025 budget proposal to the Rivers State House of Assembly, but the Speaker has refused to acknowledge or respond to it.

“The Governor made several calls to the Speaker, but he did not answer. This shows the desperation to create anarchy in Rivers State,” Ugochinyere noted.

Despite these challenges, the opposition coalition remains confident that the local government elections will proceed as planned, ensuring that democracy prevails in Rivers State.