The Nigeria Police Force has taken a firm stance, directing its commanders to enforce a Federal High Court ruling that halts the scheduled local government elections in Rivers State. The election, originally set for tomorrow, October 5, 2024, has now been called into question due to legal interventions.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, along with a delegation of his loyalists, made a visit to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt early on Friday. This visit followed reports that some individuals attempted to break into the commission’s facility.
The alleged attempt was to steal election materials, which were intended for use in the local government elections. According to local sources, the police involved in this incident were believed to have been deployed from neighboring Abia State. The attempt to remove these materials was thwarted by the presence of the governor and his supporters.
In response to the situation, Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, issued a statement explaining the police’s actions. She cited a Federal High Court ruling from July 19, 2024, which instructed security agencies, including the police, not to provide any form of security for the election. She further emphasized that the police had been guided by their legal team to respect the court’s more recent judgment, which was delivered on September 30, 2024.
Iringe-Koko’s statement reiterated the court’s directive, stating: “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.”
The Nigeria Police Force, in its statement, advised all parties involved in the election to follow legal procedures if they feel any decisions were unfair.
“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.
