Tension and uncertainty are gripping Rivers State as local government elections scheduled for today approach.
The atmosphere is fraught with anxiety as the public awaits the electoral process amid concerns over security and compliance with legal rulings.
Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Irinji Koko, has confirmed that the command will abide by the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from joining the force. . election.
This decision is in line with a directive from the Ministry of Military Justice that emphasizes the importance of complying with judicial orders during the electoral process.
The statement read: “On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order prohibiting the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during local government elections.
“Furthermore, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled again barring the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in local government elections.
“In the light of the circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Military Justice Service that the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, be given priority.”
In response, the All Progressives Congress, which supports former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, said the decision was an aberration.
Chief of Staff to the state APC chairman, Emeka Beke, Chiji Enyim, criticized the police for not arresting the protesters at the command headquarters and called on the police not to participate in the election.
Enyim said: “First of all, the APC is participating in the elections and fielding chairman candidates and councilor candidates.What the police are saying is a decision on the rule of law.
“In his above judgment, Justice Riff did not even say that the elections should be canceled, but he also said that the police should not cover up and that INEC should not release the voter list to RSIEC. But as we speak, voter rolls are showing up at almost every polling place in the state. So anyone who doesn’t like this situation should go to court.
“Why is the IG interested in the problems of the Rivers people because what the police are doing is trying to overthrow the Siminarayi Hubala government and it is the duty of the police to protect those who go to vote? Those who say they won’t participate should go to court, and if the court invalidates the election, they can be fined or fined.The election hasn’t been invalidated, so what is the IG interested in? ”
The Peoples Democratic Party leader and media aide to the Rivers State governor, Jerry Omazogunwa, said the police decision to withdraw from the election would not change anything.
He said, “I think there is always tension in every election that goes on in this country. You saw what happened in Edo State and all the shenanigans. The police are there and all those Something happened.
“Even with all the serious violence that’s happening in elections, they’ve always existed. So let’s do something different to see if this is much better than what we’ve seen so far. So for me, the non-involvement of the police makes no difference.
“Also remember that citizens have rights. Citizens can arrest criminals and hand them over to the police. “But if the police say tomorrow is a crime-free day, no matter what happens, they can arrest criminals and hand them over to the police. I also hope people don’t say, “It’s not strange, no one will be prosecuted because the police are the ones creating the foundation for something like this to happen.”
However, the APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, who is loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, and the PDP, led by Chukwuemeka Aromine, boycotted the election citing lack of due process by the Rivers State independent electorate. commission.
