Police pledge to block Fubara government’s Rivers LG elections

GistReel

The Nigeria Police Force has directed its commanders to enforce a Federal High Court ruling that blocks the local government elections scheduled for tomorrow in Rivers State.

Earlier on Friday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara led a strong delegation to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt after an alleged attempt to break into the facility and steal materials intended for the Saturday LG election.

Policemen reportedly deployed from neighboring Abia State were said to have carried out the attempted break-in, which was thwarted by the governor and his supporters.

In a statement from the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, the police reiterated that the Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a restraining order on July 19, 2024, prohibiting the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the election.

The police emphasized that they had been advised by their Force Legal Department to adhere to the September 30, 2024, court judgment, which prohibited their involvement in the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, in Rivers State.

The statement reads: “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.”

Reports shows that opposition parties recently protested, calling for compliance with the court orders and expressing their commitment to ensuring that the law is upheld.

Speaking further, the police urged all parties to pursue legal redress if they are dissatisfied with any decisions or actions related to the election process.

“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,” the statement added.