Ayobamiji Komolafe 
Angry protesters on Friday stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding that the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday proceed as planned.
Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators set up canopies, blocked a section of the road, and chanted “Election must hold” while drumming and singing.
The protest follows Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s intervention earlier where he thwarted an alleged attempt by men in police uniforms to take control of the RSIEC office and disrupt the electoral process.
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The governor expressed outrage at the Rivers State Police Command’s attempts to halt the elections.
Fubara insisted, “Keep your security, I do not need it. This election must hold on Saturday. The result will be declared, and the winners will be sworn in.”
Security officials had foiled an earlier attempt by the men to scale the gates and steal sensitive electoral materials intended for the election.
The police, citing a Federal High Court ruling, had announced the withdrawal of their personnel from the election.
Tensions remain high, as stakeholders and government officials continue to monitor the situation at RSIEC headquarters.
