Fubara Slams IGP Egbetokun, Says, Police Serving An Interest To Scuttle Rivers LG Polls

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 State Local Government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.

This was as he expressed regrets and serious reservations that 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, who stated these at press conference at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday, said the already scheduled Local Government election, barely hours away, cannot be stopped or truncated because a particular person does not want it conducted.

Fubara explained that everything that needed to be done about the electoral process legally, security wise and logistically, including the voters, have been finalised and voters sentisitised because of their high confidence levels.

He said that even the police have been informed, and were expected to discharge their statutory professional security duties, particularly because the court also directed so in its judgement on the election.

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 Nigeria Police.

“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. On 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,” he said.

The Rivers State Governor questioned how so low the Nigeria Police could stoop by allowing its officers to engage in such illegal acts that clearly suggested that they have become enemies of Rivers State.

Fubara also 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.

In the words of Fubara; “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 conduct election?

“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,” he said.

Fubara therefore 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 noted 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.

Fubara further said; “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?” he asked.

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 if you feel aggrieved, if you feel you don’t want to participate in the election that you should go to court? Why 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”.

Fubara assured Nigerians, and particularly peace- loving people of Rivers State that the election will go on, and nothing will stop it because everything required has been put in place.

He further said; “On the issue of security, if the police feel they don’t want to be part of the election, they should withdraw. I am saying this here so that the Inspector General of Police will be aware, and also know that any act against the peace of this State, anything that will bring a situation of lawlessness in this State, if it happens, I think at the end of the day, he should be prepared to take responsibility,” he said.

Responding to questions from journalists, Governor Fubara said the Rivers State Government sent a copy of the judgment of court mandating that the election should hold to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector General of Police (IGP), Director, Directorate of State Security (DSS), and other security agencies, which he believed had been communicated to Mr President.

Fubara also said; “On the aspect of the Police withdrawing their services, I don’t think police (are) supposed to be part of the election process. What the police should do is to protect lives and property, ensure that nobody comes to cause a fight or burn people’s property.

“In fact, police don’t need to be close to the polling units or the voting centres. What is important is for them to ensure that the lives of the people of Rivers State are protected, and their properties are protected.

“I don’t think if they (police) withdraw their services, it is going to mar the process. Not at all. So, if the police are not providing security, I strongly believe that some other agencies will provide security for the election,” he said.