On Saturday, October 5, 2024, di local government elections in Rivers State, particularly in Port Harcourt, were marked by violence and chaos. An explosion rocked di secretariat of di All Progressives Congress (APC) along Aba Road, causing significant damage but no casualties. Di explosion, suspected to be caused by dynamite, destroyed di gate, doors, and windows of di building.
Aside from di explosion, armed men dressed in police uniform disrupted voting at Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City Local Government. Dey fired teargas, seized election materials, and chased away RSIEC officials and voters. Di incident created tension in di area, with many residents running for their lives as police patrol vans sped away with election materials.
Governor Fubara had earlier directed RSIEC to proceed with di elections despite opposition from di ruling PDP and a faction of APC. Di PDP had protested against di elections, citing a court judgment that barred RSIEC from conducting di polls. However, another court order had instructed RSIEC to proceed with di elections as planned.
Di confusion over court orders and di absence of di PDP from di elections added to di tension. Local youths also protested outside di RSIEC office to safeguard di commission from potential disruptions. Di situation remains volatile, with security personnel expected to deploy to affected areas to maintain order.
