Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accused the Inspector General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the Local Government election scheduled for 5th October, 2024 in the State.
Governor Fubara made the accusation during a World Press Conference held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Governor said the already scheduled Local Government election, barely hours away, cannot be stopped or truncated because a particular person does not want it conducted.
He said that everything that needed to be done about the electoral process legally, security wise and logistically, including the voters, have been finalised and voters sensitised because of their high confidence levels.
Governor Fubara, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, said even the police have been informed, and are expected to discharge their statutory professional security duties, particularly because the court also directed so in its judgment on the election.
He regretted that rather, the police have become hired agents sent to attack the headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and tried but in vain to cart away sensitive materials.
Governor Fubara said: “In the early hours of this morning (Friday), I got a security report that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office has been invaded by the Nigerian Police.”
He said, “I was really surprised because before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing the police officers that were guarding the premises. So, I had to drive to the place myself since the facility belongs to Rivers State Government.
“Getting to the scene, and to the shock of everyone who accompanied me there, I met the presence of some fierce looking policemen in one truck and three other empty Hilux vans trying to force their way into the premises.
“And, I had to stop them. In the process, we discovered that that movement (operation), was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police Force, both the Rivers State Command and the Headquarters (Abuja), to steal the electoral materials. But by the special grace of God, that act was foiled.”
Governor Fubara questioned how so low the Nigeria Police stooped by allowing its officers to engage in such illegal acts that clearly suggested that they have become enemies of Rivers State.
Governor Fubara wondered why the Nigeria Police will attempt to take over control of RSIEC or be used to stop a democratic process that is ongoing, which will lead to the emergence of elected political leadership at the Local Government Councils.
Governor Fubara said: “Here are the questions: first, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, is it not an agency, and a process that is being controlled by the State Government? Is it not a system that is governed by the law of the State? Why is Rivers State’s case different?
“The second part of it is: what is the special thing about this issue of taking over the premises by the Police? If we should go by what they claim that they had a court order, the court ruling said, don’t give RSIEC voter register, don’t give RSIEC police protection. Did the judgment say they should seal the premises? Or don’t allow them to conduct election?”
Governor Fubara also said: “However, the Rivers State Government and RSIEC itself also had a judgment that states clearly: conduct the election with the voters’ register of 2023; and police, DSS, Nigeria Army and other sister agencies should provide security.
“I might not be a lawyer, but I understand clearly that when it comes to the issue of judgment, there is something they call first-in-time.”
Governor Fubara asked if there is any other court unknown to him that is bigger than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whose judgment concerning a proper constitution of elected Local Government Councils is being obeyed in Rivers State.
The Governor stated that among all the security agencies, it is only the Nigeria Police that is acting so strangely and have become a threat to the nation’s democracy.
He stated, “Why are they looking for a way to stampede this State? The Supreme Court gave a judgment that all local government activities must be conducted by elected officers.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in agreement with the State Governors, directed a compliance to this judgment within 90 days with effect from the judgment date.
“And all other States are conducting election to ensure that they comply with the directive, not just the Supreme Court ruling but also going by the understanding that we have with Mr. President.
“And what Rivers State is also doing is not different from others. And the big question is: is any other court bigger than the Supreme Court?”
Governor Fubara also made reference to the incident that happened in Nigeria about the botched general election of June 12, 1993, wherein the Supreme Court ruled that when it comes to the issue of election, no court should stop the process.
“Is it not better”, Governor said: “If you feel aggrieved, if you feel you don’t want to participate in the election that you should go to court?
“While do you want to stop the process of election, to create problem, to create anarchy in the state? We are already complaining of suffering, people are hungry, and you want to stampede the local government civil servants in the State.”
Governor Fubara assured Nigerians, and particularly the peace- loving people Rivers State that the election will go on, and nothing will stop it because everything required has been put in place.
