Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in a strongly worded reaction, has berated the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun over attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1:00 am on Friday, October 4, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, it was alleged that “rogue policemen attempted to scale the gates and break into the strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the Saturday local government election in the state”.
The statement claimed that the deployment was ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement noted that the plans of the policemen, including the DC Ops, were foiled when alert security officials notified principal officers of the Commission and government authorities, who promptly informed the governor.
“The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to the facility,” the statement said.
Speaking to journalists outside the RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara condemned the actions of the officers involved in the alleged unauthorized operation, stating that “the IGP was taking his friendship with certain Abuja-based politicians too far”.
Fubara reiterated that the attempt to secretly withdraw policemen already assigned to secure the facility and replace them with a detachment from a neighboring state was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that “local government elections are the internal affairs of the states,” and urged him to allow each federation unit to manage its own affairs without interference.
Fubara lamented, “Lifu, that Justice who gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather, he technically said, “Don’t provide, don’t provide!” We don’t need your security, we will provide our security. After all, it happened in Anambra State. But this election must hold! If you like, whatever it is you want to do, do it. The election will be held, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in.
“When it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself. You call yourself the Inspector-General of Police. Enough is enough! If I go back and hear anybody, I will come here. This is my property, and you don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. I think I have given enough respect.”
He further addressed the indigenes of the state, saying, “Election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen. We are ready. We know that this one is going to be the last fight, and we will take it to the end.”
The statement added, “The Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of both the State and National Assembly, and other stakeholders are guarding the RSIEC office to prevent the rogue policemen, who arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, from returning. The election will proceed as scheduled on Saturday.”
Recall in a statement by the Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday, Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election, said the police received a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.
Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election.
In the statement, the police confirmed being in receipt of a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.
The development follows Fubara saying he regretted that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), will not be taking part in the October 5 Local Government Election in the state.
Governor Fubara stated this on Thursday during a meeting with some stakeholders of the party at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
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 Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy.
