…”Other agencies’ll do the job” – Fubara
The Police have directed their operatives not to provide for Rivers local governments election scheduled to hold today, Saturday.
The Rivers Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, who announced this to newsmen yesterday in Port Harcourt, the State capital, said the decision to shun the poll was in line with the judgment of the Federal High Court barring the Police from providing security for the election,
Iringe-Koko confirmed that the Command had begun withdrawing its officers from election duties.
“The court order bars the police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the local government council elections. Therefore, all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been instructed to fully comply with the Federal High Court’s judgement”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko further urged other security agencies to observe the court’s ruling, and advised that anyone aggrieved by the Police’s withdrawal should seek legal redress before the elections.
She assured that Police officers would remain alert for ‘potential disturbances’, even though they would not directly participate in the elections.
Recall that the Federal High Court had, on Sept. 30, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the Voters Register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC).
The court cited RSIEC’s non-compliance with its 2018 law regarding the voters register as reason for the court’s decision to halt the elections. It further prohibited the Police and the State Security Service (DSS) from engaging in the elections.
Despite the court ruling, RSIEC appears determined to proceed with the elections. RSIEC Chairman, Justice Adolphus Enebeli Rtd. referenced a ruling by the State High Court mandating the Commission to continue the elections.
Meanwhile, in response, the State governor Siminalayi Fubara has said other sister agencies will provide security during the election.
At a press conference yesterday, the governor noted that the election would go on as scheduled, stressing that Rivers State does not need the police to secure the election. “We strongly believe that other security agencies are participating and will provide the necessary security coverage for the voters”, he affirmed.
