*Count Us Out Of LG Poll, Say Police
RIVERS State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at about 1a.m. on Friday, October 4, to forestall the takes over of the premises by the state Police Command.
A video online showed the governor in the company of his team entering the premises of the RSIEC, with some men seen alleging that the policemen were attempting to scale through the gates and Commission’s strongroom to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of the local government election in the state on Saturday, October 5.
According to Channels TV, Fubara and his team, which comprised his chief of staff, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, State and National Assembly members, as well as other stakeholders, were seen manning the RSIEC office, while a number of policemen were also seen inside two trucks and two Hilux vehicles.
In the video, some voices could be heard in the background shouting, “move this thing! Illegal Police! Illegal Police! Thief! Thief,” even as some men were hitting the vehicles lined up inside the RSIEC office, shouting that they vacate the premises.
Addressing reporters outside the RSIEC office, Fubara condemned the actions of the rogue officers, accusing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of overstepping his authority, possibly due to political connections in Abuja.
He stressed that local government elections fall under the jurisdiction of the state and should remain free from federal interference, even as he criticised the attempt to replace the Police officers already stationed at the facility with personnel from another state, describing it as an unlawful and politically motivated maneuver.
He vowed to provide alternative security if necessary to ensure that the elections proceed peacefully on Saturday, calling on the electorate to turn out in large numbers and exercise their right to vote and ensure that the democratic process remains intact.
On Thursday, October 3, during a meeting with some stakeholders of the party at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor insisted that the exercise, which was in compliance with the recent Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, would go ahead.
He said the election has to be held on Saturday to comply with the three months of grace given by the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the apex court judgment.
Following the incident and its failed attempt to seal the premises of RSIEC, the Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko (SP), titled, ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election,’ said it had received a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the elections.
Explaining further why it would not provide security during the election, the Command said it would obey the directives by the Force Legal Department that the September 30 court ruling should take precedence.
The statement said: “The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming local government election, particularly in light of recent court rulings.
“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.
“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.”
It added: “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.”
Earlier and following the court ruling, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as well as a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced that they would not participate in the election.
Indeed, the state chapters of both parties joined forces to protest the conduct of the elections on October 5. The protesters marched through Azikiwe Road, under heavy security presence and protection, to the office of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the state Police Command to drop their protest letter, urging the two security agencies to respect the extant court order and hands off the poll.
State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, and PDP state Chairman, Chukwuemeka Aaron, alleged that the election process was tainted by illegality and that their parties would not participate.
Recall that a Rivers State High Court had given the go ahead of the election and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the voters register to RSIEC for its conduct. But a Federal High Court in Abuja, in a conflicting ruling, restrained the INEC.
In continuation of the drama, INEC, on Wednesday, October 2, said it was yet to release the voters register to RSIEC, which countered that it applied and indeed received the voters register before the court cases.
