Police withdraw from Rivers LG election following Abuja court directive

ICIR

TENSION has intensified in Rivers State as the Nigerian Police Force said it would not provide security for Saturday, October 5, local government election in the state.

The Rivers State Police Command announced its withdrawal from the exercise in a statement posted on its Facebook page, and shared on its X handle, on Friday, October 4.

This followed a series of court rulings that raised concerns regarding the legality of the electoral process.

The poll has become a major issue of national concern, particularly as it deepens the feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike – the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

The ICIR reports that on September 30, a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld a July 19 ruling that barred the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the local government election.

However, on Wednesday, October 2, Fubara declared that the (Rivers) State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) would proceed with the poll.

He consequently declared Thursday, October 3, and Friday, October 4, public holidays to allow residents to travel to their communities and vote for candidates of their choice.

Justifying his decision to go against the court ruling, Fubara said he was convinced that the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling on local government autonomy superseded the Abuja Federal High Court’s order stopping the poll.

He further called on security agents in the state to ensure the exercise was free, fair and credible, as he restricted human and vehicular movements on election day from midnight on Friday to 5 pm on Saturday.

The decision, however, sparked protests from members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had vowed to boycott the election due to legal fireworks characterising it.

The ICIR reported that tensions reached a boiling point on October 3, as a large group of PDP members stormed the party’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, voicing their opposition to the planned conduct of the election by RSIEC.

The protesters later moved to the State Security Service (SSS) office, carrying placards condemning the state government’s insistence on proceeding with the poll despite the court’s injunction.

Meanwhile, clarifying its position in the wee hour of Friday, the police noted that under the current circumstances, the Force had been advised by its legal department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, must be obeyed.

“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 statement added.