The Rivers State Political Elders and Leaders Forum has urged residents of the state to exercise their civil rights without fear in today’s local government council election.

A former governor of the state, Celestine Omehia, made the call when the group visited Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.

There has been tension over the LG poll, with lawmakers loyal to the ex-governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, opposing the poll viewed as a battle of supremacy between Mr Wike and his successor, Siminalayi. 

The police also said they would not provide security during the exercise citing a court and the governor accused them of partisanship and vowing to go ahead with the election. 

Mr Omehia said that the essence of the visit was to encourage the governor to remain steadfast towards ensuring a successful council poll.

He noted that election was an exercise of the fundamental right of people saying, “every resident of the state has the right to vote and should express such right”

He said that it was the responsibility of the state election body to organise the poll for people to choose their leaders at the grass-roots.

“Those who do not want the election to hold are not interested in the welfare of Rivers people. As a group, we are interested in strengthening democratic principles. We want the state to grow in unity,” he said.

Mr Omehia said that past leaders of the state would be delighted to see that the state enjoyed peace, unity and development.

(NAN)