… Says IGP Responsible If Anarchy Ensues
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accused the Inspector General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the Local Government election scheduled for October 5, 2024 in the State.
Fubara made the accusation during a World Press Conference held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The Governor said the already scheduled Local Government election, barely hours away, cannot be stopped or truncated because a particular person does not want it conducted.
The Governor stated that among all the security agencies, it is only the Nigeria Police that is acting so strangely and has become a threat to the nation’s democracy.
He regretted that rather, the police have become hired agents sent to attack the headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and tried but in vain to cart away sensitive materials.
He said “On the issue of security, if the police feel they don’t want to be part of the election, they should withdraw.
“I am saying this here so that the Inspector General of Police will be aware, and also know that any act against the peace of this State, anything that will bring a situation of lawlessness in this State, if it happens, I think at the end of the day, he should be prepared to take responsibility.
“On the aspect of the Police withdrawing their services, I don’t think the police (are) supposed to be part of the election process.
“What police should do is to protect lives and property, ensure that nobody comes to cause a fight or burn people’s property.
“In fact, police don’t need to be close to the polling units or the voting centers. What is important is for them to ensure that the lives of the people of Rivers State are protected, and their properties are protected.
“On the issue of the election, I don’t think if they withdraw their services, it is going to mar the process. Not at all!
“So, if the police are not providing (security), I strongly believe that some other agencies will provide security for the election,” he explained.