February 19, 2025

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LG Polls: Non-State Actors May Displace Police In Rivers As Fubara Fights IG

5 min read

Edith CHUKU

The Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the Inspector General of Police that the state can do without their security in the October 5 local government elections.

The governor stated this in reaction to the resolution by the Nigeria Police Force to comply with the July 19, 2024, judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the LG election in the state.

Fubara also stated this expressing his disappointment in the Police Force following an incident that occured at about 1 am at the office of the state Independent Electoral Commission, on Friday.

Speaking with newsmen, the governor who led a team of government officials, political stakeholders and other leaders to the RSIEC office along Aba road, vehemently condemned the attempt by some men on Police uniform to take over RSIEC office.

The supposed Police officers where said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission, to allegedly cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturdays LG election in the state.

They were said to have been overpowered by security operatives stationed at the RSIEC office.

Addressing newsmen on the incident, Fubara said “we came here this morning when we heard that the, according to what they call themselves, Nigeria Police are coming to take over the premises of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and I had to come myself to find out why would such a thing happen.

“From what I heard that one DCP Operation brought them here to withdraw Police men that are already here protecting this place, so that ill officers will take over the place but I have to say this on a very strong note, we’ve been taking enough nonsense from this institution.

“Everybody is aware of the court judgment and even the judgment as they call it, did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not hold?

“It said don’t give voters register, what are we doing with it? Okay Police don’t provide security, don’t provide security is it the same thing as blocking the election? I don’t know what the relationship between the Inspector General of Police and one person who claims he has so much power in this state, I don’t know the relationship because it’s beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship.”

The governor explained that, “the government wrote a letter with the judgment that we have to him and what he is acting on is what he called the judgment they got from the Federal High Court, even at that, if we should go by that, the judgment in the Federal High Court did it say election should be barred? Lifu, that justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election, rather it technically said don’t provide, we don’t need your security, we will provide our own security, afterall it happened in Anambra.”

Fubara who asked the Police to heed to the judgment and go away with their security, insisted that the LG election must hold, result declared and winners would be sworn in.

Wondering why issues concerning the state was always treated differently, Fubara told the IG, “you are not ashamed of yourself, you call yourself Inspector General of Police, enough is enough, I will be here, infact if I go back and I hear anybody, I will come here, this is my property and you don’t have any power whatsoever to stop me from entering it. Just try it then that your history as a very wicked and fraudulent Inspector General of Police will include shooting Fubara, I think I have given you enough respect.”

in his message to natives and residents of the state, the governor reassured that the election will hold and encouraged everyone to relax, promising that nothing was going to happen.

On their part, the Nigeria Police Force has urged citizens and residents of the state to remain peaceful and ordely and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.

In a release by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-koko, the force explained that “on July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the Local Government Election.

“Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.

“Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.

“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law. The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.”

It assured that, “the Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances. Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

“In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024. All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.

“In light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.”

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