Grassroots Development Initiative, GDI, yesterday threatenedcourt action over the May 23 date set for local government election in Rivers State. GDI is the campaign body for the governor-elect in the state, Nyesom Wike.
Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RISIEC, had on Monday announced it would conduct local government elections on May 23, this year.
Chairman of RISIEC, Prof.Augustine Ahiazu, who made the announcement in Port Harcourt, said the election would take place in all the councils, except Ogba/
Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area. Ahiazu had maintained that
the commission was relying on
the State Independent Electoral
Law No.2 of 2001 as amended
and State Local Government Law No.3 of 1999 as amended,
to conduct the poll.
Ahiazu said political parties were eligible to sponsor candidates for the election if they were able to complete and submit their expression of interest forms before April 24. But President-General of GDI, Bright Amaewhule, described the position of RISIEC as illegal, adding that the electoral body was expected to give a 90-day notice to political parties before the council election.
Explaining that fixing election date by RISIEC without following due process was the handiwork of Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Amaewhule vowed that GDI would challenge the development incourt. He said it was wrong for an election to be fixed without
considering the 90 days notice
given by law to allow political parties prepare for the exercise, adding that with the position of RISIEC, political parties would not have time for screening and primaries for aspirants.

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