The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that its actions regarding the just-concluded Rivers State Local Government elections were in accordance with an existing Federal High Court ruling.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, dismissed allegations of partisanship, emphasising the force’s commitment to neutrality and non-interference in political matters, both within Rivers State and across the country.
According to Adejobi, the statement was issued to address the misinformation circulating in the media about the Police’s role in the election.
He maintained that the Police had received an injunction from the Federal High Court on July 19, 2024, prohibiting their participation in the elections, deeming it unlawful.
However, he noted that on September 4, 2024, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter-order, directing the Police and other federal security agencies to ensure security during the local government elections.
“It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit. The Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordering the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.
“All these orders and counter orders were served on the Police. The IGP being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice. For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)”, the statement added.
He said the IGP, while acting on legal advice from the Force Legal Office, directed the Rivers State Police Command to comply with the Federal High Court’s ruling.
He said the IGP also communicated this directive to the Governor of Rivers State in a formal letter.
According to Mr Adejobi, the letter, referenced CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated 2nd October 2024, urged the governor to respect the court’s decision for the sake of peace and the welfare of the people of Rivers State.
The statement further read: “The misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was uncalled for, and unfair to the Law Enforcement Institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police.
“For the avoidance of doubts, the general public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector-General of Police, and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly shows him as a man of honour, integrity and focus before and after his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.
“The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police, worldwide, particularly in Africa where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.
“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Conference and retreat in Owerri, last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.
“It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, his administration or his political affiliations but will continued to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted. Similarly, suffice to say that the Local Government elections were generally peaceful nationwide, especially in states where the Police were in charge of security.
“In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, directed the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State which were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who controls the local government secretariat between elected chairmen whose tenure expired and caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government which matter was pending in court.
“The unsealing yesterday 06/10/24 after the police received the report that elected chairmen had been sworn in by the state government. The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development in the state and allow smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.”
Moreover, Mr Adejobi said the IGP condemned the violent confrontations and attacks at the local government secretariats in the state, which destroyed government facilities.
According to him, the incidents occurred shortly after the secretariats were unsealed.
Mr Adejobi added that the IGP has directed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to take immediate action to restore law and order in the affected areas.
Additionally, he said the IGP reiterated the Force’s commitment to upholding law and order, safeguarding democratic principles, and promoting peace, unity, and progress throughout the country.
