Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, should be held accountable if unrest occurs ahead of the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt, Fubara accused the Nigeria Police of trying to interfere in the election to benefit a politician from Abuja. He said the state government had completed all preparations, including legal processes and security arrangements, to ensure a smooth election. The public had also been informed and educated about the election process, boosting confidence in the system.
However, Governor Fubara expressed disappointment, claiming that instead of fulfilling their duty to ensure peace, the police had attempted to raid the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and seize sensitive election materials. He stated that these actions show the police are acting against the interest of the state and its people.
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.
“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 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.”
The governor expressed disbelief at how low the Nigeria Police had fallen, allowing its officers to engage in illegal activities that suggest they have become adversaries of Rivers State.
“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?”
Fubara questioned whether there is any authority higher than the Supreme Court, which had already provided guidelines for how the election should proceed. He stressed that while other security agencies were cooperating, only the Nigeria Police appeared to be threatening the election and democracy in Rivers State.
The governor concluded by warning that any attempt to disrupt the election would be blamed on the police, and particularly the IGP, for failing to protect the democratic process.
