Some political leaders in Rivers Sate have expressed readiness to participate in the local government elections scheduled for October 5.
Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of a political gathering in Port Harcourt, the state treasurer of Nigerian National Political Party (NNPP), Hon. Augustine Elijah, said that his party would do well in the forthcoming local government election in the state because during the last general election in the country NNPP came fourth.
“During the last general election in the country the NNPP came fourth. Therefore, we of the NNPP in Rivers State are ready for the forth-coming Rivers local government polls,” Hon. Elijah said.
He explained that despite the notion that the NNPP lacked geographical spread in the 319 wards in the state, Hon. Elijah said, “We of the NNPP in Rivers State are visible in Rivers State. We are in all the 319 wards of Rivers State and the 23 LGAs in the state.”
He lauded the chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC), Hon. Justice Adolphus Enebeli, for unveiling the LGA electoral guidelines and time-table on time.
He urged members of his political party to work hard and reach out to their supporters and electorate.
On her part, the chairman of the NBA of the Port Harcourt Branch, Mrs. Cordelia Ekeh said that based on the signal and activities from RISIEC she was confident in the ability of RISIEC to conduct free, fair and credible LG election.
Also speaking, the state chairman of Good Party (GP), Mr. Abedinego Benjamin said that his party and the various candidates of the party who have indicated interest to partake in the polls were ready for the exercise.
“We of the Good Party in Rivers State are ready for the October 5th local government election in this state. We are prepared and there is no political party in this state better prepared than us. In fact, we are on ground and we have aspirants or candidates in all the 319 wards in this state.”
Mr. Abedinego expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness by RISIEC. The recent interaction with officials of RISIEC was timely and appropriate. It has also shown that RISIEC is prepared to conduct and organize free, fair and credible LGA polls in the state, Mr. Benjamin asserted.
The state chairman of GP explained that his party would serve as a change agent because they were fully prepared for the October 5 local government election, adding that the members of GP are in all the 319 wards in the state.
He appealed to the leadership of RISIEC and the state governor to support officials of political parties in the state with funds.
