Rivers LG Poll: Police takes exception at Fubara’s unwarranted outburst

By Blessing Chinagorom

The Nigeria Police Force has said it takes exception to the unwarranted outburst of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the weighty accusations levied against Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on the Local Government election.

According to the statement released by the Force on Friday, cautioned on decency of individual political goals, saying the Police will not fold their hands in the threats of shed blood and to burn down the State because of a LG election.

The Police said the allegations levied by the Governor to IGP and the entire Police Force need to be clarified, stating that there is a subsisting Federal High Court order barring the Nigeria Police Force from participating in the Rivers State elections.
It explained, “This order was duly served on both the NPF and Rivers State Government. As a law-abiding institution, IGP Egbetokun instructed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers to strictly adhere to this court order by refraining from any direct involvement in the election process.

“However, in the evening of 3rd October,2024, The commissioner of police Rivers State, received reports that policemen from Rivers State Government house have been deployed to the office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIEC) to aid the conduct of the election.

“This report was also relayed to Inspector- General of Police who gave clearance to the Commissioner of Police to withdraw the policemen from the Government house and replace with policemen from the Command Operations department.
“The mandate of the men from the Operations Department, was to provide overnight security for the RIEC to prevent any attack on the facility”, the Police voiced.

While noted that prior to this, there had been series of security breaches in the state following the spate of court orders and counter orders and reactions to them by supporters of the different political parties involved.

The Police said the response of the Command to secure RIEC overnight was therefore professional and supported by the Inspector-General of Police.

Adding that the policemen deployed to RIEC from the operations department of Rivers State Command on the night of 3rd October, 2024 were with the sole mandate to protect the RIEC office from attack overnight. “This action was proactive and responsive to intelligence at the disposal of the State Command”, it said.
The Police who explained further that it was shocked to see the state governor storming the RIEC office at night, wrongly accusing the police on lawful duties, said the Governor derided the Police institution and used unprintable words to describe the Inspector-General of Police.

The Police reiterated its commitment to protection of lives and properties and promised to work with other security agencies in Rivers State to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the State.

To this end, the Police made it known that the Inspector-General of Police has ordered increased deployment into Rivers State to beef up security throughout the state while advised citizens of Rivers state to go about their lawful businesses.

Earlier, report has it that in the early hours of Friday, October 4, 2024 Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara foiled a desperate attempt by some policemen allegedly led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to break into the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) early this morning.
According to the report, The officers reportedly stormed the facility around 1 am, attempting to seize sensitive materials meant for the upcoming local government elections on Saturday.

The Governor claimed the deployment was ordered by the Inspector-General of Police to truncate the planned election. Fortunately, vigilant security personnel at the scene spotted the intruders and raised alarm as they attempted breaking the gates and strong room of RSIEC.

Members of RSIEC staff alerted the Governor who wasted no time in assembling a high powered rescue team. The team, including lawmakers from both the National and State Assemblies, top government officials, and political stakeholders, rushed to the facility to confront the situation.

Speaking to reporters outside the RSIEC office on Aba Road, Governor Fubara condemned the actions of the police men, and accused the IGP of overreaching his authority due to personal connections with politicians in Abuja.

He reiterated that local government elections are State matters and should be free from federal interference while condemned the attempt to remove the policemen already deployed at the facility and replace them with officers from another State.
He vowed to provide security other than the Police to ensure peaceful election today and enjoined Rivers people to turn up en-masse for the exercise

The Governor also criticized the attempt to remove the officers legally deployed to secure the RSIEC and replace them with officers from another state.

In response, Rivers people have gathered en masse at the RSIEC office, ensuring the policemen, who arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, do not return.

In light of the failed operation, Governor Fubara is scheduled to hold a world press conference at 8:00am today to address the situation.

He is expected to expose the desperate attempts by federal forces to disrupt the democratic process in Rivers State after losing their grip on the forthcoming local government elections.