Rivers State governor, Similanayi Fubara has insisted that Saturday October 5th Local Government Councils election will mark the last fight between him and his Predecessor, Nyesom Wike who is minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He declared that the election will hold despite the decision by the Nigeria Police attempts to frustrate the exercise citing a subsisting federal High Court judgement in Abuja, ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing Rivers voter register for the election.
Fubara made the assertion in a viral video after stopping attempts by security personnel in police uniforms to forcefully takeover the premises of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) and cart away sensitive materials meant for the election in the early hours of Friday.
The embattled Governor who was accompanied by a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, urged residents of the State not to be wary, noting that winners would be declared and sworn-in after the election despite the withdrawal of police personnel by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Fubara said, “but I have to say this on a very strong note, we have being taking enough nonsense from this institution (police). Everybody is aware of the court judgement as they call it. Did the judgement specify anywhere that election should not hold not hold? Rather, or said, INEC don’t give voters register. So, what are we doing with it. Police don’t provide security. Is that the same thing as blocking the election?
“I don’t know the relationship between the Inspector General of Police and one person (Wike) who claim he has so much power in the State, because his (IGP) action is beginning to go beyond the normal relationship.
“The government wrote a letter with the judgment that we wrote to him (IGP). And what is acting on is what he called the judgment they got from a federal High court. If we have to go by that, did the judgement says election should be barred.
“The judge tactically said don’t don’t provide security. We don’t need your security. We will provide our own security. It happened in Anambra. Go away with your security.
“This election must hold.
If you like do whatever you want to do. This election must hold, results will be declared and winners will be sworn-in. I say it here! What kind of Country is this? When it comes to River State, the institution is different. You are not ashamed of yourself, you call yourself Inspector General of Police? Enough is enough. I will be here. In fact, If I got back, and I here anybody comes here, I will return here”, he said.
According to him, “You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entry. Just try it. Then, part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent Inspector General of Police, will include shooting Fubara.
“I think I have given enough enough respect. Let me say this, to all Rivers indigenes – everyone residing in Rivers that election will hold. Anything that want to happen, let it happen.
Everybody just relax. Nothing is happening. We are ready.
“We know that this is going to be the last fight. We will take it to the end”, Fubara said.
But, the Nigeria Police Command in Rivers State has defended its action, enforcing court orders as regarding Saturday Local government election in the State.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed being in receipt of a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.
In the statement titled, ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election’, Iringe-Koko, informed law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during forthcoming the Local Government poll.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
PROPOSED OCTOBER 5TH, 2024 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN ELECTION
The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming Local Government Election, particularly in light of recent court rulings.
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.
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.
In 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.
GRACE IRINGE-KOKO (ANIPR),
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
RIVERS STATE
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE RIVERS STATE POLICE COMMAND
OCTOBER 3, 2024.
Background of the crisis
TheNewspad recalls attempts by President Tinubu to mediate on feud between Wike and Fubara, which has dominated the headlines the past couple of days with no solution in sight.
The Cable online also said political dogfight has led to moves to impeach Governor Fubara, the decamping of 27 PDP members of the State legislature to APC and the consequent declaration of their seats vacant by a factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, the demolition of the State House of Assembly complex and fears that the conflict is increasingly assuming an ethnic dimension.
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