Federal court order leaves Rivers LG election ‘exposed’, as Police stand back

Ahead of the upcoming LG election in Rivers state, the Police command has released a rather surprising statement, which clearly states that they will not be providing security beef up for the poll.

Eyes have been keenly watching to see what would unfold in the Rivers LG election as the tension created by current Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Former Governor now serving as FCT Minister, Nyesome Wike has sent waves of unrest in the state.

Tongues have been set wagging as new order from the federal high court prohibits them from providing security details during the poll.

This was issued in a statement on Thursday night by Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police spokesperson.

According to her, the court order read “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.”

The order arises as the federal high court sitting in Abuja on 30 September barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The court also prohibited the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.

On October 2, INEC said it had not released the voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election, in deference to the judgment of the federal high court.

In spite of the order, Governor Fubara is adamant and has vowed to proceed with the election, furthering declaring Thursday and Friday as public holidays. This resulted in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) secretariat in Port-Harcourt on 3 October being jam-packed with protesters opposing the planned local government election.

With the LG election carrying carrying the tension of determining which camp holds the ‘key to the state’, the recent events that have unfolded suggests that it is just the beginning.