With a day to the October 5 local government election in Rivers State, the Rivers State Police Command has said it would comply fully with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which barred it from participating in the election.
Disclosing this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said the decision is a sequel to the directives by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, however, noted that while adhering to the court order, police operatives will not fold their arms and allow security breaches.
This development came less than 24 hours after Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains, led by the state chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and their supporters protested against the conduct of the election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The PDP protesters marched to the State Police Command headquarters and that of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Port Harcourt asking the two agencies to respect the extant court order and hands off the poll, even as the party chairman submitted a petition and a copy of the judgment to the officials of both outfits.
The police spokesperson, while insisting that it had studied the two court judgments restraining them from participating, she advised residents of the state to remain law-abiding and peaceful.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming local government election, particularly in the light of recent court rulings.
“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.
“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent disregard for the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.
“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances.
“Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.”
It added, “In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024.
“All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.
“In light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.”
