With the local government election in Rivers State finally here, there is palpable tension and uncertainty over the conduct of the election due to conflicting signals from many quarters.
The heated battle for supremacy between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised the tension in the state, and the duo is locked in a fight to finish in the quest for control of political structure at the grassroots.
In the days leading to the election, there have been many controversies and uncertainties over how the exercise will pan out.
While the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supports and wants its members to participate in the election, its Rivers State chapter, which is loyal to Wike, urged residents and party members to shun the exercise.
On Friday, Governor Fubara had insisted on holding the election, while accusing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the police of serving the interest of Wike to scuttle the election.
The governor made the accusation during a World Press Conference held at Government House in Port Harcourt.
He insisted that the election, which is less than 24 hours away, cannot be truncated because a particular person does not want it conducted. He added that everything that needed to be done about the electoral process legally, security-wise and logistically, including the voters, has been finalized.
Adding to the confusion, the Police, citing court orders, have said they would not provide security services in Rivers and urged other security agencies to do the same.
On Friday, the Rivers State Police Command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the command would comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained the police and the Department of State Services from participating in the poll.
She said the decision was sequel to the directives of the Force Legal Department.
The statement read, “On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the local government election.
“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.”
However, the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) loyal to a former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, condemned the decision, saying it was an aberration.
The Chief of Staff to Emeka Beke, the state APC chairman, Chizi Enyim, berated the police for not arresting those who protested at the command headquarters urging the police not to participate in the election.
“First of all, the APC is participating in the election and we have fielded chairmanship and councillorship candidates. What the police are saying is a decision to the rule of law.
“The said judgment by Hon. Justice Lifu did not even say that the election should be stopped but that the police should not cover it and that INEC should not release voter register to RSIEC. As we speak, the voter register has been displayed in almost all the polling units across the state. So, those not comfortable with the situation should go to court.
“What the police are doing is trying to overthrow the government of Siminalayi Fubara and why is the IG interested in the affairs of Rivers people because it is his duty to protect those who are going to vote. Those who said they would not participate should go to court and if the court invalidates the election, fine and good. The election has not been invalidated so what is the IG’s interest?” Enyim stated.
Also reacting, a PDP chieftain and media aide to the Rivers State Governor, Jerry Omatsogunwa, said the decision of the police to withdraw from the election would not make any difference.
He stated, “I think all the elections that have been happening in this country, there is always tension. You saw what happened in Edo State and all the shenanigans; the police were there and all those things happened.
“Even all the serious violence that has been happening in elections, they have always been there. So, why not do something different to see if this one will be far better than the ones we have been seeing before? So, for me, the police not participating has no effect.
“Don’t also forget that the citizens have a right. Citizens can arrest criminals and hand them over to the police. “But, I also hope that the police are not telling us that tomorrow is a crime-free day that anything can just happen and nobody will be prosecuted because they are the ones that lay the foundation for anything like that to happen.”
Interestingly, APC, led by Chief Tony Okocha, and the PDP, led by Chukwuemeka Aaromin, who are loyal to Wike have boycotted the election, citing lack of due process by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
In its reaction, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, said it was unheard of that a court would issue an order stopping the police from carrying out its primary duty.
He said, “Whatever be the purport of the orders, the police have a continuing duty to provide security for the purpose of River State.
”If the Rivers State electoral committee insists on going ahead with the election, the police have the duty to provide security. I find it strange that a court order said the police should abandon their constitutional duty of providing security to the people of Nigeria.
“The police have an abiding and unending duty to provide security, whatever be the case in Rivers and that duty can never be suspended by the court. The police must stay out of the political scene in Rivers and ensure the protection of lives and property in Rivers.
“The police have a duty and should be worried that a court will purport or allege to have ordered them not to do their duty because no court in any circumstance should grant such orders and it is an embarrassment for the rule of law if indeed it is true for a court to have ordered that the police should not provide security.
“If indeed that order was made, it is evidence of rascality and invitation to breakdown of law and order. No self-respecting police should rely on such an order to abdicate from his responsibility.”
