The Rivers Political Elders and Leaders Forum has urged residents of the state to exercise their civil rights without fear during Saturday’s local government election.
Chief Celestine Omehia, a former governor of the state, made the call when the group visited Governor Siminalayi Fubara in Port Harcourt.
He declared that those who were against the conduct of the election were not interested in the welfare of the state and its citizens.
Omehia said that the essence of the visit was to encourage the governor to remain steadfast towards ensuring a successful council poll.
According to him, the 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 grassroots.
“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.
Omehia said that past leaders of the state would be delighted to see that the state enjoyed peace, unity and development, NAN reports.
