Gov Fubara Foils Late Night Attempt By Police To Take Over RSIEC (Video)

A desperate attempt by some Police Officers acting on orders allegedly from Abuja to take over the headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC was foiled following the arrival of the State Governor, Sim Fubara at the scene.

Didactic Information Hut reports that the Police Officers were led by the DC Operations and they stormed the RSIEC Premises at about 1:00am Friday, 4th October 2024.

But the Governor accompanied by His Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Ono-Jumbo and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders arrived and reportedly chased them away and have reportedly also manned surveillance at the RSIEC office to ensure that the elections will go on as scheduled.

Gov Fubara who expressed disappointment at the role the Police was playing to frustrate the elections said “Enough is Enough” and threatened that the State may resort to providing its own security for the exercise.

Meanwhile, the Police has reportedly pulled out of the 5th October 2024 local government election in Rivers State citing a federal court judgment.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace IRINGE-KOKO, reads below:

“The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming Local Government Election, particularly in 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 any 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.

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.”

Didactic Information Hut recalls that there was an earlier attempt to take over RSIEC on Tuesday. However, this was denied as a mere security presence to protect the premises against invasion by the #1stOctoberProtesters .

The current situation in Rivers State is raising political tension in the oil rich state as the PDP in a protest yesterday had threatened not to fold its hands should the Governor decide to disobey the court order and continue with the election.