By Daniel Abia
Sequel to the recent crisis, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, has announced October 5 for the conduct of the local government elections in the state.
The announcement was made on Monday at a stakeholders meeting at the premises of the electoral body in Port Harcourt, Rivers state capital.
The announcement is coming barely two weeks after the appointment of caretaker committee chairman by Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the tenure of the former council chairmen on July 17.
In view of the crisis that greeted the appointment of the CTC chairmen, the former council chairmen loyal to thr FCT minister, Nyesom Wike argued that they would not vacate the councils because the Law No 2 enacted by the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had extended their tenure by six months.
While the case is still pending in the Federal High Court for final judgment, the Nigerian Police had since taken over all the 23 Secretariats of the local government areas in the state to avert break down of law and order.
Source: Vanguard