LGA Polls: We Will Not Be Part Of This illegality — Rivers APC

Rivers State All Progressive Congress (APC) has said it would not be part of the alleged illegality of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s (RSIEC) proposed conduct of Local Government Councils Elections on June 16, 2018.

The Chairman of APC in Rivers, Chief Davies Ikanya, made the assertion in reaction to The RSIEC Chairman, Justice C. I. Uriri declaration that RSIEC will conduct Local Government election soon to fill the vacancies in the Local Government.

NAN reports that the APC leader in the state said there was no vacuum in the leadership of the local government councils since the term of office of the elected chairmen and councillors had not expired and was a subject of litigation before the courts.

“Uriri, who served as a Judge of the High Court of Rivers should have known better that there is no vacuum and advise the state government to stop putting Rivers in the news for bad reasons.

“The local government leadership case is a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court in Suit No: PHC/PH/CS/84/2015, Appeal Nos: CA/PH/338/2016 and SC/536/2016 respectively,’’ he said.

He said the Rivers electoral umpire successfully conducted the Local Government Council elections in the state on Dec. 23, 2015.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took an action by way of originating summons against INEC, RSIEC, Governor of Rivers, Inspector-General of Police and the State Security Service before the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi.

“The PDP also filed alongside the originating summons, a motion on notice on Dec. 27, 2015 for an order of mandatory injunction setting aside the LGA elections conducted by INEC and RSIEC.

“Justice Akanbi delivered a ruling on July 9, 2015 in favour of the PDP and the elected chairmen of the 22 LGAs filed an application before the Court of Appeal for leave to appeal as interested parties”

“The leave was granted o June 20, 2016,’’ He said

Ikanya also said the constitutionality of the RSIEC Law 2018 was a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court between APC and INEC & Ors. in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/13/2018.

Ikanya also said the constitutionality of the RSIEC Law 2018 was a subject of litigation before the Federal High Court between APC and INEC & Ors. in Suit No: FHC/PH/CS/13/2018.

“It is just but laughable that RSIEC as currently empanelled is engaging in a wild goose chase of conducting an election which RSIEC as a party is aware that the matter is subjudice.

“That is, the case is actively before the courts and, the belief is that, any words or acts that are likely to influence the case could invite prosecution for contempt of court.

“The APC and the 22 LG chairmen will approach the Court of Appeal with these facts and ensure that Wike and the PDP are not allowed to benefit from their brazen impunity and lawlessness,’’ He Said.