The political landscape in Rivers State is heating up as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the voters' register for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5. Uche Nnadi, the National Chairman of the Action People’s Party (APP), announced this development, asserting that there is no turning back on the election despite attempts by opposition parties to seek injunctions to cancel it. Nnadi criticized these opposition factions, claiming that the APP is poised to liberate the people from political oppression [bb029070].
This announcement comes amid ongoing tensions in the state, where hundreds of youths have been protesting against local government chairmen who have refused to vacate their offices after their tenures expired. These protests have led to police occupying the local government secretariats for over a week to maintain order. The National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has shown support for the police's actions, urging them to remain vigilant until the Appeal Court resolves the political disputes in the state [0b335af8].
In Delta State, preparations are underway for the local government council elections, with the State Orientation Bureau encouraging eligible voters to participate and emphasizing the importance of peaceful conduct during the elections. Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has assured stakeholders of a transparent electoral process [0b335af8].
The Supreme Court of Nigeria recently ruled that state governors cannot withhold funds allocated to local government councils, reinforcing their autonomy. This ruling has been hailed as a significant step towards enhancing grassroots democracy in Nigeria. Osita Okechukwu, a former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, praised the judgment, which mandates prudent management of local government funds and aims to curb the historical mismanagement by state governors [22152730][226b94cf].
Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church, expressed optimism that Nigeria will improve in terms of security and economy following the Supreme Court's decision. She emphasized the need for unity among Christian denominations to support the new governance structure at the local level [0b6b3b9d].
As the October 5 elections approach, the APP's Rivers State Chairman, Sunny Wokekoro, expressed confidence in the party's victory, highlighting its commitment to political development. Former officials, including Charles Wogu and Emma Okay, have also voiced their support for the elections, criticizing opponents for their lack of participation in the political process [bb029070].