Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed surprise over the alleged attempt by the police to invade the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) premises to disrupt the scheduled local government elections on Saturday.
During a media briefing at the government house in Port Harcourt on Friday, Fubara stated that he was shocked by the police’s actions, especially after receiving prior information suggesting that the police intended to withdraw from the elections.
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He questioned why Rivers State was being singled out, highlighting the undue focus on a state-run electoral body.
Fubara clarified that the court ruling from Abuja had only instructed the police not to provide security for the elections, not to seal the RSIEC premises or interfere with the electoral process.
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He argued that the Rivers State High Court ruling, which was issued earlier, should take precedence.
He emphasized the need to conduct the elections in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling that the Federal Government is set to enforce. Fubara warned that attempts to block the elections could negatively impact the welfare of local government workers.
The governor urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to take responsibility for any disruptions, cautioning that any efforts to stop the elections would be strongly resisted.
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Fubara reaffirmed that the elections would proceed as planned, and the elected officials would be sworn in. “We are prepared, we are prepared,” he declared.
He also noted that prior to the election, formal requests for protection were sent to the National Security Adviser, the IGP, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, alongside a copy of the Rivers State High Court judgment.
Fubara concluded by downplaying the necessity of police presence, explaining that their role near polling units was not crucial. He expressed confidence that other security agencies could maintain law and order in the absence of the police.