There is tension and uncertainty in Rivers State over the conduct of the local government election in the state scheduled for today.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the command would comply with the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained the police and the Department of State Services from participating in the poll.
Iringe-Koko said the decision was sequel to the directives by the Force Legal Department.
The statement read, “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.
“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.”
Parties berate police
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress loyal to a former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, said the decision was an aberration.
Chizi Enyim, the Chief of Staff to the state APC chairman, Emeka Beke, berated the police for not arresting those who protested at the command headquarters, urging the police not to participate in the election.
Enyim stated, “First of all, the APC is participating in the election and we have fielded chairmanship and councillorship candidates. What the police are saying is a decision to the rule of law.
“The said judgement by Hon. Justice Lifu did not even say that the election should be stopped but that the police should not cover and also that INEC should not release voter register to RSIEC. But as we speak, the voter register has been displayed in almost all the polling units across the state. So, those who are not comfortable with the situation should go to court.
“What the police are doing is trying to overthrow the government of Siminalayi Fubara and why is the IG interested in the affairs of Rivers people because it is his duty to protect those who are going to vote. Those who said they would not participate should go to court and if the court invalidates the election, fine and good. The election has not been invalidated so what is the IG’s interest?”
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and media aide to the Rivers State Governor, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said the decision of the police to withdraw from the election would not make any difference.
He stated, “I think all the elections that have been happening in this country, there is always tension. You saw what happened in Edo State and all the shenanigans; the police were there and all those things happened.
