By Ayo Kehinde
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and the police command in the state are engaged in a stand off over the Local Government poll scheduled for Saturday, October 5 2024.
In a bid to meet the October deadline set by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, George Akume led presidential committee implementing compliance with the Supreme Court ruling on Financial autonomy, the governor, like his counterparts still operating caretaker committee, is rushing to conduct LG polls to meet the deadline.
But the supremacy battle between him and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has polarized the policy, no thanks to conflicting court judgement.
As a result, the Police Command in the state said its personnel would not provide security for the October 5 local government elections in the state.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the action follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered on September 30, 2024, which prohibits the Nigeria Police Force from participating in or providing security for the election.
According to Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State Police Command was advised by the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force to comply with the court order.
“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,” she said.
Iringe-Koko also noted that an opposition party recently protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and vowing to prevent disregard for the law.
She added that necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders while directing all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.
The police urged all parties to seek legal redress if aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.
The Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, September 30, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of the State Services (DSS) from providing security for the poll.
Earlier, a Rivers State High Court had ordered security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the October 5 local government polls in the state
The court also ordered RSIEC to conduct elections using the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Elections compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission , INEC.
An attempt by a detachment of rogue policemen allegedly sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters ahead of Saturday’s local government elections was foiled on Friday, by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Government officials who spoke to THISAGE anonymously said the ruling meant an INEC register for 2024 and since the electoral umpire is yet to update its register, the 2023 register, which is already in possession of the state electoral commission would be used.
Meanwhile the governor in the wee hours of Friday foiled attempt by rogue officers to forcefully gain entrance into the premises and strong room of RSIEC at about 1am on Friday, in an alleged “attempt to steal sensitive materials” meant for the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state.
While vigilant security personnel on duty raised the alarm and alerted key officers of the commission and relevant authorities, Governor Fubara immediately mobilised a team of senior government officials, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and the Rivers State House of Assembly, prominent political stakeholders, and other key leaders who stormed the RSIEC facility, preventing the attempted takeover of the facility.
Speaking at the scene, Governor Fubara expressed his outrage, saying: “They said DC Operation brought them here to withdraw the policemen that are already here protecting this place so that new officers will take over the place, but I have to say this on a very strong note, we’ve taken 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, is it the same thing as blocking the election?
“I don’t know 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 a professional relationship.
“The government wrote a letter to him, and what he is acting on is the judgment he got from the Federal High Court. Even if we should go by that, did the judgment say elections should be barred?
“Lifu, the Justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather he tactically said don’t provide. We don’t need your security, we will provide our own security after all it happened in Anambra.
“Go away with your security, but this election must be held. If you like, whatever you want to do, do it. Elections will be held, people will be sworn in! I say it here.
“What kind of a country is this? And when it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself, you call yourself Inspector-General of Police. Enough is enough!
“I will be there, in fact, if I go back and I hear anybody… I will come. This is my property, and you don’t have any right whatsoever to bar me from entering. Just try it, then part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent Inspector-General of Police will include shooting Fubara. I think I’ve given you enough respect.
“Well let me say this to all Rivers indigene, everyone residing in Rivers State, the election will hold. Election will hold, anything that wants to happen let it happen. So, everybody just relax, nothing is happening. We know that this is going to be the last fight and we’ll take it to the end. Thank you.”
