By Divine Sam
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized Minister Nyesom Wike for his comments on the recent local government elections in the state. Wike expressed frustration over Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s decision to hold the elections despite a court ruling that required a 90-day notice, stating that this undermined democracy.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court had ruled that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) violated electoral procedures by not adhering to the notice requirement and barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from releasing the voter register for the elections. Despite this, Fubara proceeded with the election, resulting in violent clashes between supporters of Wike and Fubara, including incidents of arson.
In response, PDP spokesperson Sydney Gbara urged Wike and his supporters to seek legal redress if they disagreed with the election outcomes, emphasizing that the electoral process should not be obstructed. He highlighted that the push for the election was initially supported by Wike and his faction, pointing out the contradiction in their current stance. Gbara defended Fubara’s actions as aligned with Supreme Court directives for elected local government leaders, framing him as a hero for upholding democratic principles in Rivers State.