Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalai Hubara, has thwarted an attempt to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) by the Nigeria Police State Command (NPF) led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations). 1 a.m. Friday.
The policemen allegedly tried to breach the gates and strong rooms of the commission to remove sensitive election materials for the holding of local government elections in the state on Saturday, October 5.
The deployment is said to be on the orders of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
However, the policemen’s plot failed as alarmed security officials alerted key officials of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the governor of the development.
The governor immediately led a team of government officials, members of Congress and state legislators, key political figures, and other leaders to the facility.
Addressing journalists in front of the RSIEC office on Aba Street, Port Harcourt after an encounter with rogue policemen, Hubara said the IGP has gone too far in his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians. He condemned the actions of the police officers while on duty illegally.
He reiterated his position that attempts to secretly withdraw police officers already deployed to protect facilities and replace them with detachments from neighboring countries are unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government elections are an internal matter of the state and advised them to allow federal units to carry out their affairs without interference from the centre.
