Don’t Conduct LG Election In Rivers, Peterside Urges Electoral Commission

Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Deputy Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, has urged the State Independent Electoral Commission not to conduct the local government election slated for June 16.

Peterside, who said this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, relied on a Supreme Court ruling on Thursday in which the apex court also adjourned the matter to Dec.18.

The Supreme Court had told Gov. Nyesom Wike, who was the appellant, to properly serve the 17th respondent in the suit, Department of State Security, to determine whether an elected local government chairman could be joined in a suit.

According to Peterside, any action taken by the electoral body while the Supreme Court was yet to lay the matter to rest will be sub-judice and of no effect in the eyes of the law.

“I am happy that the chairman of RSIEC is a retired judge and should know better; he should advise Gov. Wike not to force him into regrettable circumstances and actions,” he stated.

The former federal lawmaker declared that the Wike-led administration could not approbate and reprobate at the same time in a matter it clearly has a vested interest.

“The same Wike that said the High Court has nullified the elections of the chairmen and councillors elected under former Governor Amaechi is also the same person saying their tenure has expired.

“How can the tenure of those he claims were not in office expire?

“Wike is not in a position to determine the tenure or otherwise of those duly elected by Rivers people.

“ It is left for the court to determine and until that is done, any attempt at organising local government election is just a sham.

“The judiciary remains the hope of those seeking for justice and as such, the governor should not be in a hurry to foist his henchmen on Rivers people all in an attempt to score cheap political points,” he said.

Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, called on APC faithful in the state to remain steadfast.

He assured them that victory was certain at the end of the day.