Preparation for today’s Rivers State local government election almost degenerated into chaos yesterday after an angry Governor Siminialayi Fubara stormed the premises of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) in Port Harcourt at 1am, alleging plot by the police to scuttle the poll.
He lashed out at the police authority, labeled the plot nonsense and said the state had had enough of it.
His supporters had their turn later. They turned back a detachment of policemen drafted to the premises.
The police, citing a court order stopping the poll, said they would not be available to provide security during the election.
The national leadership of the Action Peoples Party (APP) on whose platform Fubara’s candidates are contesting the election, expressed support for the election and disowned a factional group in the state.
The local chapter of the party had disowned the Fubara men, saying they are not members of the APP.
The local chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, is not contesting the election while the party’s national leadership threw its weight behind the governor, saying the election must proceed as scheduled.
Fubara, who was accompanied by some government officials and security aides during his midnight visit to RISIEC, took an umbrage at the Police Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun for allegedly taking sides in the face-off between him (Fubara) and Wike.
He said: “We came here this morning when we heard that, according to what they called themselves, the Nigerian Police, were coming to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, and I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen.
“What I heard is that one DC Operation brought them here. He withdrew the policemen that were already here protecting this place so that his officers will take over the place.
“But I have to say this on a very strong note: we have been taking enough nonsense from this institution. Everybody is aware of the court judgement. Did the ruling specify anywhere that election should not hold?
“It said don’t give voter register. What are we doing with it? Police don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as blocking the election? I don’t know what the relationship is between the IGP and one person who claims he has so much power in the state.
“I don’t know the relationship because it is beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship. I said the government wrote a letter with the judgement that we have to him and what he is acting on is what he called the judgement he got from the Federal High Court.
“Even if we go by the Federal High Court judgement, did it say election should be banned? Did Lifu, that judge that gave that fraudulent judgement, say no election? Rather he technically said don’t provide, don’t provide security.
“We don’t need your security. We will provide our own security. After all it happened in Anambra. This election must hold. If you like whatever you want to do, do it. The election must hold, results will be declared and people will be sworn in.
“What kind of country is this? And when it comes to the issue of Rivers State it becomes different.
“You have to be ashamed of yourself. You call yourself IGP. Enough is enough. If I go back and hear anything, 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 and part of your history will include shooting Fubara. I think I have given you enough respect.
“Well, let me say it to all Rivers indigenes, everyone residing in Rivers, election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen.”
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Nelson Chukwudi followed up with a statement claiming that his boss foiled an attempt by some policemen to scale the gates and the strong room of the commission.
The aim, he said, was to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of the election.
He accused the Inspector-General of Police of ordering the deployment of policemen to the RISIEC premises with a view to taking it over.
He said the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already protecting the facility and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring state was unacceptable.
He said the local government election is the internal affairs of states.
We’ll enforce court judgment, Force insists
The Police appear undaunted by the governor’s action as the force has directed its commanders in the state to enforce the Federal High Court’s judgement against the conduct of the elections.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, citing a July 19, 2024 restraining order of a Federal High Court Abuja, said the police and other security agencies would not be providing security during the poll.
The force, she said, had also been advised by its Legal Department to comply with a judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which barred the police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election.
She said: “Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.
“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.
“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances.
“Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.”
The statement called on all other security agencies to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.
“In the light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period,” the statement said.
Why we deployed fresh personnel to RSIEC – Police
The Rivers State Police Command denied allegation that its personnel deployed to RISIEC wanted to cart away sensitive electoral materials.
It said: ‘It should be noted that Policemen from the Rivers State Government House were initially deployed to the River State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) but were withdrawn in response to the Federal High Court ruling of September 30, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the scheduled elections.
“Conversely, in reaction to credible and actionable intelligence received about plans by hoodlums to carry out an arson attack on the RSIEC office, police personnel were deployed to secure the premises.
“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to our duty to maintain the peace and ask residents of Rivers State to act within the confines of the law. The Police will do everything to maintain law and order.”
Police reject Fubara over ‘weighty allegations’ against IGP, insist they’re neutral
The Force Headquarters last night denied allegation of partiality leveled against the Inspector General by the Rivers State governor.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, dismissed the allegations as weighty and unfounded.
He said: “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent statements made by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, in which several unfounded allegations were leveled against the Office of the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force. In light of these claims, it has become necessary to set the record straight.
“Firstly, it is important to clarify that there is a subsisting Federal High Court order barring the Nigeria Police Force from participating in the Rivers State elections. This order was duly served on both the NPF and the Rivers State Government.
“As a law-abiding institution, the IGP instructed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State 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 in 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 the 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.
“It is also important to note 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 response of the Command to secure RIEC overnight was therefore professional and supported by the Inspector-General of Police.
“For emphasis sake, 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 is therefore shocking to see the state governor storming the RIEC office at night, wrongly accusing the police on lawful duties, deriding the Police institution and using unprintable words to describe the Inspector-General of Police.
“The Nigeria Police takes exception to the unwarranted outburst of the Governor and particularly the weighty accusations which he falsely leveled against the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force and advise caution and decency in the pursuit of individual political goals.
“Threatening to shed blood and to burn down the State because of a Local Government election is not acceptable to us. The Nigeria Police Force is committed to protection of lives and properties and will 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 Inspector-General of Police has ordered increased deployment into Rivers State to beef up security throughout the state. Citizens of Rivers State are advised to go about their lawful businesses.”
‘Police presence inconsequential to our election, says Gov
The governor responded to the police statement during a press conference at the Government House later in the day.
He said it was clear that the police had decided to serve the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the Local Government election.
But he vowed that nothing would stop the election.
He said everything that needed to be done about the election had been finalised and voters sentisitised because of their high confidence levels.
Fubara said even the police had 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.
His words: “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.
“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 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.”
Fubara said the Nigeria Police had stooped so low that they allowed their officers to engage in such illegal acts that clearly suggested that they had become enemies of Rivers State.
Fubara wondered why the Nigeria Police would attempt to take over control of RSIEC or be used to stop a democratic process that was ongoing, which would lead to the emergence of elected political leadership at the local government councils.
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 conduct election?”
Continuing, he 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.”
Fubara asked if there was any other court unknown to him that was bigger than the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whose judgment concerning a proper constitution of elected Local Government Councils was being obeyed in Rivers State.
The governor said that among all the security agencies, it was only the Nigeria Police that was acting so strangely and had become a threat to the nation’s democracy.
He 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 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 said: “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.
“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.
“Why is the case of Rivers State different? Is it that the law or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when it comes Rivers State, it is to be interpreted in a different way?
“This press briefing, if you listen to me, I am not crying. I am not also calling the international community (for help). When they have their own press briefings, they call on the international community (for help). I am not calling international community.
“But from here, I just want you to know that we are prepared. Once in the lifetime of every man, you need to stand on the side of truth, and even if it will take your life, history will not forget you.
“Great Martin Luther King, today we talk about him. We talk about him because he stood for what was the truth, and his life went in. And if I am going to be that Martin Luther King of Rivers State, so be it!”
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.
He 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 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.
“On the issue of the election, I don’t think if they 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.”
Rivers PDP to Fubara: obey court order; announcing results invitation to violence
The local chapter of the PDP warned the governor of the consequences of disobeying the Federal High Court judgment on the conduct of the local government elections.
The PDP State Chairman Chukwuemeka Aaron said that participating in or conducting elections contrary to the court’s judgment would be unlawful.
He said: “The PDP, having reviewed all the cases relating to the local government elections, concludes as follows:
“We cannot support or promote lawlessness or impunity in any from whatsoever even though we are the ruling party in Rivers State.
“The proper court judgment must be obeyed as we cannot choose which order of the court to obey and not to obey.
“We, therefore call on the Rivers State Governor who incidentally is a member of our great party, the PDP, to obey and comply wholly and strictly with the judgment of the Federal High Court in line with our character and ethics of our party, the PDP and suspend the planned October 5 Local Government elections in Rivers State.”
Aaron commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for standing by the truth and complying with the court’s judgment.
He said INEC had clarified that it did not release the Voters Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), a critical requirement for the elections.
He added: “We also call on our members and indeed the law-abiding residents of Rivers State to defend the rule of law ensuring full compliance with the judgment from the Federal High Court.
“Nobody should participate in or allow the conduct of any local government elections in deviance from the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“We want to thank the INEC for standing on the part of the truth, clearing the air on the non-release of Voters Register to RSIEC and for complying with the Federal High Court judgment.
“We also commend the Nigerian Police for standing up to the Federal High judgment being the latest on the Rivers State Local government elections.
“We want to caution that any attempt to announce any results whatsoever will be an invitation to violence and will be properly revisited as no election will be held in Rivers State on the 5th of October as ordered by the court.
“We enjoin the general public to disregard any announcements calling for the October 5 local government elections, for the same is a call for crisis and which will not be in the interest of Rivers People.
PDP national disagrees, says state ready for poll
However, the national leadership of the PDP expressed support for Fubara on the election.
The party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said in Abuja yesterday that since RSIEC has confirmed its readiness and possession of the necessary materials to conduct the election, no court under the Electoral Act 2022 can halt the process.
He asked the people of the state to firmly assert their sovereignty and constitutional right by coming out en masse to vote today.
He said: “The PDP insists that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the state, and such right, including participation in local government election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organisation under any guise whatsoever.
“The party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and NO COURT under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has the power to stop elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 84(15) of the Electoral Act, 2022 provides that nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general elections, under the Act pending the determination of a suit.
“The reported invasion of RSIEC facilities by police operatives allegedly to frustrate the conduct of the election is a direct affront to our democracy and the Rule of Law; an attempt which was firmly resisted by the people of Rivers State who are resolute to express their Will at the poll.
“The Inspector General of Police should note that he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual.
“Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.”
APP recognises Nwokekoro, disowns factional group
Support for the LG poll also came from the national leadership of the APP with the party’s National Chairman Chief Uche Nnadi, declaring Chief Sunny Nwokekoro as authentic Chairman of APP in Rivers.
He disowned the faction that had opposed the Fubara candidates, describing them as mere impostors who have never been party officials and should be arrested and prosecuted.
The chairman in a statement in Abuja on Friday said Nwokekoro replaced Hon Kenneth Atata, the former state chairman.
Nnadi claimed that the decision of RISIEC to go ahead with the election is backed by a court judgement.
He asked the Inspector General of Police to “be mindful and not allow the police institution to be further ridiculed by taking partisan positions. The RSIEC is under the command of a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to conduct the said election, and the Police cannot interfere with that order.”
The Nation
