The Rivers police command has announced that its officers will not provide security for the local government election in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday night, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, stated that the command is adhering to an order from the federal high court in Abuja.
The Rivers local government election is set for Saturday, October 5.
Tension has been building in Rivers due to the ongoing conflict between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT). Both camps view the local government election as a referendum on who truly controls the grassroots. Wike’s camp appears to be opposed to holding the election on Saturday.
On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The court also banned the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from supplying security for the election.
On October 2, INEC confirmed that it had not released the voter register to RSIEC in compliance with the federal high court’s ruling. The next day, a crowd gathered at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt to protest the planned election.
Despite this, Fubara is determined to go ahead with the election and has declared Thursday and Friday public holidays.
Iringe-Koko urged other security agencies to follow the court’s ruling by refraining from providing security for the election.
“On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the Local Government Election,” the statement reads.
“Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.
“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.
“In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024.
“All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.”
The police requested that residents “cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.”
