The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State regarding recent inflammatory remarks and accusations. The governor’s comments were made in the context of an ongoing political dispute over the local government elections in the state.
The conflict escalated when Governor Fubara reportedly accused Egbetokun of meddling in the electoral process. The governor also issued a threat, suggesting that any breakdown in law and order during the elections would be the responsibility of the Inspector-General of Police.
Fubara’s comments came after he intervened in a situation at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office. He claimed that police officers were attempting to remove sensitive materials related to the upcoming local government election, scheduled for Saturday.
This intervention by the governor has sparked controversy, with the Nigerian Police Force reacting strongly. In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Inspector-General expressed his concern over what he described as unfounded allegations made by Governor Fubara.
The statement partly reads; “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent statements made by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, in which several unfounded allegations were levelled against the Office of the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force. In light of these claims, it has become necessary to set the record straight.
“The Nigeria Police takes exception to the unwarranted outburst of the Governor and particularly the weighty accusations which he falsely levied against the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force and advise caution and decency in the pursuit of individual political goals.
