Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has expressed surprise at the actions of the police in allegedly attempting to invade the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to disrupt the planned Local Government election on Saturday.
Fubara, speaking during a media briefing at the government house in Port Harcourt, on Friday, said the move was surprising because he had previously received information indicating that the police intended to withdraw from the local government elections.
He questioned why Rivers State is being singled out, especially with what he described as an undue focus on an electoral body that falls under state jurisdiction.
He pointed out that the court ruling from Abuja had only instructed the police not to provide security, and not to seal RSIEC premises or interfere with the elections.
According to him, the ruling from the Rivers State High Court should take precedence, as it was issued first.
He emphasised the importance of conducting the elections in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling which the Federal Government is set to implement.
Fubara noted that attempts to obstruct the elections would have far-reaching consequences, particularly on the welfare of local government workers.
The governor urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to be ready to take responsibility for any disruptions, warning that any attempt by individuals or groups to stop the elections would be firmly resisted.
Fubara reaffirmed that the elections would go ahead as scheduled, and the elected officials would be sworn in. “We are prepared, we are prepared” he stated.
Fubara and his team storm RSIEC early Friday, where he allegedly to have stopped police from ‘carting away’ election materials.
He explained that before the election process, a formal request for protection was sent to the National Security Adviser, the IGP, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, along with a copy of the Rivers State High Court judgment.
Fubara concluded by downplaying the importance of police presence, noting that they were not required to be near polling units.
He expressed confidence that other security agencies could fulfil the role of maintaining law and order in the absence of the police.
