As the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) schedules the local government election for October 5, 2024, some political leaders and stakeholders in the state are demanding that the commission ensure a level playing field for the conduct of the election.

They made the demand during a stakeholders meeting and unveiling of the 2024 Election Timetable Guidelines, held at the Commissions office in Port Harcourt.

A representative of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP Rivers State, Evans Derego, said they are ready as a party to participate in the pool, but can only show their strength and popularity in a level playing ground election.

“What we want from you as a commission is to provide for us a level playing ground for us to go out to the field show our strength and popularity and win election.

“Political positions are not shared among parties, if you can win all, win all, if you have the strength, if you can win some and leave some according to your strength, but we will not go out to share political offices among parties come out and show your strength

“We are ready to field our candidate for the election and we are ready to show our strength. Let the majority win and let the minority have their say”.

Goodnews Amadi, representative of the All Progressive Congress Party APC Rivers State, urged the Chairman of RSIEC Honourable Justice Adolphus Enebeli retired, to maintain his integrity and not to give in to pressure of any kind.

“I know that this election is political because we are in politics. One thing that is exciting my mind is that am seeing some kind of integrity on the Electoral Chairman Adolphus Enebeli

“I have heard his judgements and that alone gave me the courage to rush down to this meeting, because I believe for the Governor to work with him, it means there is form of integrity in him.

“I believe the Chairman will put human face in this election, because I know it will be highly political. In the sense that it will concern every party and the way am watching Governor Fubara he will be apolitical, he will not behave like the way they use to hijack materials.

However, Rivers State Chairman Labour Party, Hilda Dokubo, drew the Commission attention to paragraph 33 of the election time table guideline book, calling on the Commission not to work with the said paragraph as it was amended by Amaewhule and others of the Rivers State House Assembly.

“⁷if you read into the into the book you will see guidelines to local government council and I would like a bit of clarification. Is this pre or post election in page 33 it says “in the Magistrate/High Court of Rivers State”.

” If this is pre-election I may not raise objection, but if this is post election I raise an objection because this is the amendment made by Amaewhule and co.

“If this is what is happening already there is a question mark to the election because we have seen situation in this State in the past where it is a carry go election. This is not to indict anybody but a statement of fact, can we avoid a carry go and have an election”.

The State Chairperson Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Cordelia Eke, commended the State government and the commission for going ahead with the democratic process, while urging all the political parties to abide by the rules governing the electoral process.

“I want to congratulate the Rivers State government and the commission for taking the bold step of going ahead with the democratic process as you all know the Nigerian Bar Association NBA is here to stand for the upholding of the rule of law and we are therefore happy to associate with any activities that has to do with the rule of law, the peace and unity of the society.

“We are happy to partner with government in this particular process and we want to encourage all stakeholders to abide by the rules that have just been unveiled and the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria which guide our conduct as citizens of a country.

“On a personal note I want to say that I have confidence on his Lordship Justice Enebeli who practiced law for more than thirty (30) years to deliver”.