Police bar officers from providing security for local government elections in rivers state
The Rivers State Police Command has declared that its officers will not provide security for Saturday’s local elections in the state, arguing that the decision complied with the Federal High Court order, hence, its legal department has advised on need to comply with the order.
Penpushing reports that the Command Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement on facebook, cited two Federal High Court orders of 19 July and 30 September, which prompted action of the police
“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’, she said
Penpushing further reports that Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, explained that 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.
‘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’, the statement reads
Penpushing also reports that the posted statement on facebook by the police was almost same period Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited the headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), where he allegedly foiled an attempt by the police to cart away sensitive materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s election.
The Rivers State Police Command as at the time of filing this report was yet to respond to the allegation made by the governor, who on his part had insisted that the conducting of the local government will take place despite opposition from his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
Penpushing reports that tension has continued to mount in the state, while record has it that both Wike, a former Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and incumbent Governor Fubara have engaged in an endless rift over control of the state’s political structure.
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