Fubara declares Thursday, Friday public holidays for Rivers LG elections

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays for the local government elections.

In a statewide broadcast at the government house in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Fubara said the break is to enable residents to travel to their voting areas.

The election is scheduled for October 5 across the 23 LGAs of the state.

The governor also said that there will be strict restrictions on vehicular movement from midnight on Friday to 5pm on election day.

“My dear people of Rivers State, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the Chairmen and Councilors of the 23 Local Government Councils on June 17, 2023,” the governor said.

“I lawfully instituted Caretaker Committees to temporarily administer the councils pending the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conduct of Local Government elections.

“I hereby declare Thursday and Friday, the 3rd and 4th of October 2024 as public holidays for citizens to travel to their communities and participate in the election.

“I hereby place a total restriction on vehicular and human movements into, within, and out of the State, and the Local Government Areas, from midnight of Friday 4th October 2024 to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday 5th October 2024, except for persons and vehicles valid identifications who are on election and other essential duties.”

Fubara cited the supreme court’s ruling on LG autonomy, adding that funding will cease for non-democratically governed councils.

He also directed RSIEC to finalise plans for the elections, while confirming that “all necessary preparations are complete”.

The governor added that security agencies have been instructed to arrest and prosecute anyone violating election-day movement restrictions.