Governor Siminialayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC.
Th Governor stormed the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission RSIEC at around 1am on Friday to stop the Police from barricading the premises of the State electoral body.
The Police had in a statement said will enforce a Federal High Court judgment 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.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State Grace Iringe-Koko in the statement implored other security agencies in the state to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.
Governor Fubara while addressing the media during his visit at the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission condemned the actions of the Police.
He said that the Police are acting against the Constitution and the judgment of the Federal High Court they are trying to enforce.
He further accused the IGP of bias in his handling of affairs in the political crisis in Rivers State.
Governor Siminialayi Fubara said that the conduct of the Local Government elections remains sacrosanct.
The Governor further tasked Rivers people to go out and exercise their franchise on Saturday, October 5th during the election.
Our correspondent reports that the Governor, Secretary to the state government, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the elections will go as scheduled.
Earlier, Governor, Siminialayi Fubara says he is not happy that his party the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is not participating in the Local Government elections in the state.
Governor Fubara asserted while addressing Rivers leaders, elders, and supporters at a stakeholders meeting at Government House Port Harcourt.
He said the conduct of the election was in fulfillment of the Supreme Court judgment that mandated states to conduct local government elections.
Governor Fubara further noted that the conduct of Local Government elections in Nigeria is the responsibility of states not Federal Government, and reassured that Rivers State will participate in the ongoing democratic transition at the grassroots in the country.
Governor Fubara commended stakeholders in the state for supporting democracy and enjoined them to continue to apply caution and be peaceful as detractors are bent on truncating the process because they have lost out.
