Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, made a dramatic intervention in the early hours of Friday when he arrived at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters to prevent the Rivers State Police Command from allegedly taking control of the premises.
The incident, which occurred at 1 AM, was aimed at stopping what Governor Fubara described as an unauthorized attempt by the police to interfere with the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday.
In a video that has since surfaced, the governor is seen entering the RSIEC premises with his team.
The footage shows a tense atmosphere as some individuals claimed that policemen were attempting to scale the gates and enter the strong room of the commission, where sensitive electoral materials intended for the conduct of the election were stored.
The situation quickly escalated as allegations surfaced that the police were planning to cart away these materials, potentially jeopardizing the entire electoral process.
Reports from the scene revealed that vigilant security personnel had detected the unusual activity around the RSIEC building and promptly alerted senior officers of the commission as well as relevant government officials.
Upon receiving this information, Governor Fubara, along with a delegation comprising key government figures, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and the Rivers State House of Assembly, prominent political stakeholders, and influential leaders, rushed to the RSIEC office to take control of the situation.
As the governor and his entourage arrived at the commission, the tension was palpable. Journalists covering the event reported hearing shouts in the background.
Cries of “Move this thing! Illegal police! Illegal police! Thief! Thief!” could be heard as some of the governor’s supporters vocally expressed their anger and frustration.
The atmosphere grew more heated as some of Fubara’s supporters confronted the vehicles parked in front of the RSIEC office, with accusations flying that the police were acting outside the bounds of their authority.
Several trucks, reportedly filled with policemen, were stationed near the RSIEC building, adding to the chaotic scene.
Supporters of the governor, emboldened by his presence, took physical action against some of these vehicles, while the governor and his team closely observed the unfolding events.
In the aftermath of this dramatic intervention, senior officials, including the Rivers State Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and both state and national lawmakers, took up positions at the RSIEC office to ensure the premises remained secure.
Their goal was to prevent any further attempts by the police, who had arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, from reentering the facility and disrupting the scheduled election.
The government team remained on high alert, determined to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that the elections would proceed as planned on Saturday.
In an official response, the Rivers State Police Command issued a statement on Wednesday through its spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, addressing the situation.
The statement, titled “Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election,” confirmed that the police had received a restraining order, barring them from providing security during the upcoming local government elections.
This legal order significantly limited the ability of the police to be involved in the electoral process, thereby adding to the complexity of the situation.
The statement from the police followed Governor Fubara’s expression of regret regarding his party’s non-participation in the forthcoming election.
The governor, during a meeting with key stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, voiced his disappointment that the PDP would not be fielding candidates in the October 5th Local Government Election.
This decision, according to the governor, was a source of regret for the party, as it left a significant political void in the election landscape.
Governor Fubara emphasized during the meeting that despite the challenges, the local government election had to be conducted on Saturday in order to comply with a mandate issued by the Federal Government.
The Supreme Court had recently delivered a judgment on local government autonomy, and the Federal Government had granted a three-month grace period for the implementation of this ruling.
To meet this deadline, the Rivers State Government needed to ensure that the local government elections took place within the stipulated timeframe.
The governor’s comments underscored the legal and political significance of holding the election as scheduled.
He reiterated that the election was not only a matter of local governance but also a necessary step to comply with national legal directives.
Despite the political complications and the absence of the PDP from the election, Governor Fubara made it clear that the process must go forward.
The unfolding events in Rivers State have drawn significant attention, as the clash between the state government, the electoral commission, and the police has raised broader questions about the role of law enforcement in electoral processes.
The involvement of the police, particularly under a restraining order, and the governor’s intervention to protect the electoral commission’s premises, reflect the tense political environment in Rivers State as the local government elections approach.
The situation remains fluid, with key stakeholders from both the government and political spheres keeping a close watch on the developments.
The presence of senior government officials at the RSIEC office and the involvement of the state’s top political figures signal the importance of this election to the state’s leadership.
As the Saturday election approaches, all eyes will be on how the process unfolds and whether further disruptions or interventions occur.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s early morning action to prevent what he perceived as an illegal police takeover of the RSIEC premises highlights the deep-seated tensions surrounding the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
With the police restrained from providing security and the governor actively overseeing the protection of the electoral process, the lead-up to Saturday’s election promises to be a significant moment in the state’s political landscape.
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