The Rivers State IPAC, Sensei Solsuema Osaro has insisted that RSIEC has the constitutional authority to conduct local government elections independently.

Hon. Osaro who made the position of IPAC known on a radio program anchored by the Nigeria Info 92.3 FM, Port Harcourt, Monday morning, urged RSIEC to proceed with the election on October 5th, 2024 as planned, without any distractions.

Hon. Osaro berated Toney Okocha’s attempts to stop the election through legal action, stating that Okocha lacks the legal standing to do so since he didn’t obtain an expression of interest form from RSIEC to participate in the election and failed to attend a crucial stakeholders’ meeting, “as such, he cannot stop a process he is not part of.”

The IPAC Chairman noted that Tony Okocha remains a factional caretaker committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State whose faith is still hanging in the balance as the State High Court headed by Hon. Justice Sika Aprioku has reserved judgment in a suit challenging his appointment.

Hon Osaro recalled that Tony Okocha had in an earlier meeting between RSIEC and political parties called on the electoral umpire to conduct elections.

“Also Okocha’s actions are improper and contradictory, as he had previously called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to conduct the election on a TV station, but is now attempting to halt the process,” Osaro posited.

IPAC said Okocha’s motives are self-serving and aimed at destabilizing the state for selfish gains. He urged the electorate to remain steadfast and prepared for the conduct of the Local Government elections on the scheduled date by RSIEC.