IGP SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY BREAKDOWN OF LAW IN RIVERS - GOV. FUBARA

...Insists LG elections is sacrosanct

...Commends the courage of Rivers people to resist invasion of RSIEC

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has said the Inspector General of Police should be held responsible in the event of any breakdown of law and order in the State.

Gov. Fubara stated this during a world press conference held in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday to alert the public on the clandestine moves made by the men of the Nigeria Police at the wee hours of Friday to invade the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office.

The governor noted that he got a security report that RSIEC office was invaded by the Nigerian Police few hours of getting a signal of Police withdrawing officers guarding the premises of the electoral body, which necessitated his visiting the place. On arrival he saw some fierce looking Policemen in one truck and three other empty vans trying to force their way into the premises, but were subsequently stopped.

He expressed dismay that the movement was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police command from both Rivers State and the Force headquarters to steal electoral materials in order to truncate Saturday, October 5 election.

The governor wondered why they were particular about attacking a State agency as RSIEC when in actual fact the court judgment they were bandying did not order the sealing of the agency or stopping the conduct of the election, but merely ordered INEC not to issue voters register, and asked Police not to participate.

"First on the issue of voters register, RSIEC had already informed us that they have voters register, so why would the election not go on. On the issue of security, if the Police feels 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 should be aware and also know that any act against this election will bring a situation of lawlessness in this State and I think at the end of the day he should be prepared to take responsibility."

"However, the Rivers State Government and RSIEC have a judgment that states clearly that the elections should be conducted with the voters register of 2023. Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, and other sister agencies should provide security. I might not be a lawyer but I understand clearly that when it comes to the issue of judgment, there is something they call *first in hand*, so what is this special interest about the federal High Court judgment."

"Secondly, why are they looking for a way to stampede this State. The Supreme Court gave a judgment that all local government activities must be conducted by elected officers. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in a meeting with the State governors agreed that compliance to this judgment should be in 90 days with the effect from the judgment date and all other States are conducting elections to ensure they comply with the directive of not just the Supreme Court, but also the understanding that we had with Mr. President. And what Rivers State is also doing is not different from that."

"But as a reminder, after the incident that happened in Nigeria on June 12, the Supreme Court ruled that when it comes to the issue of electioneering no Court should stop the process of election."

He urged those who are aggrieved and wouldn't want to participate in the election to go to Court rather than their futile effort of attempting to stop the electioneering process in order to create problems in the State, adding that people are already complaining of hardship and hunger and the detractors are attempting to stampede the Local Government civil servants in the State.

Gov. Fubara assured Nigerians and the peace loving people of Rivers State that his administration has done everything that is needed to ensure that the local government election holds as scheduled.

The governor queried why the case of Rivers State is always different, when interpreting the law or acting on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as administration of Local Government is the affairs of the State Government and no federal institution can dictate in any form the way and manner that local government system should operate.

"So I have gathered you this morning to inform you that any attempt by anyone or agencies to stop this election shall be resisted it. We will not put Rivers State in that state of anarchy, where the system of local government administration will be suspended because of the protection of one person's interest."

He commended the peace loving and courageous people of Rivers State who came out in the early hours of Friday to support his government in resisting the illegal attempt by the Nigeria Police.

The governor said he does not need to invite the Nigeria Police, as it is their statutory responsibility to maintain peace and order, stressing that there is no Court in the country that can give the Police an order to be an enemy to the state.

"So I am surprised that the Police have decided to be an enemy to Rivers State. But I want to believe that this information that we are getting and this action they are taking is not coming from the right source. So if that is the truth the Police should better correct the impression."

"Let me also say this, the election on Saturday is sacrosanct. We must join hands together to make sure that the election holds. We will also make sure that after the election, the winners will be sworn in and they will commence the activities of administering their local government."

Gov. Fubara pointed out that before the commencement of the process his administration wrote a formal letter to the National Security Adviser with a copy of the judgment to give protection to the election and a copy of the judgement was also sent to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of DSS and other security agencies, believing that with such correspondence Mr. President will also be aware.

He noted that the Police withdrawing their services will not mar or jeopardize the election as there are other security agencies that will participate in the process.
#starlightnews

Great press release from Rivers State Governor here

“What kind of country is this, and when it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You're not ashamed of yourself, you call yourself inspector general of police. Enough is enough. I'll be here. In fact, if I go back and hear anybody I'll come (back) here. This is my property and you do not have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering. - Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State https://snip.ng/RyMbI

Press Release
4/10/2024

LG election: Timi Frank urges Rivers’ people to stand by Governor Fubara

…Warns IGP Egbetokun not to cause anarchy in Rivers

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, on Friday, called on the people of Rivers State to stand firmly behind Governor Siminilaye Fubara to enable the the state conduct a free, fair and credible Local government elections.

Frank who made the call in a statement in Abuja however warned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, not to use his men to cause anarchy in their state.

He decried the conduct of the police which he described as partisan and called on the international community to hold Egbetokun responsible for any killings destruction of property as the people of the state vote to elect their council chairman on Saturday.

He also warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has boasted that he will do anything at all cost to set fire in Rivers state.

Frank said: “The involvement of the Police in Rivers is to destabilise the state and cause unrest during the forthcoming local government elections on Saturday.

“They are relying on illegal instructions given to them by Wike to stop a lawful democratic process in Rivers state.

“From intelligence at our disposal, Wike is boasting that the President has given him the authority to do and undo in Rivers State
and that is why he has engineered the police to engage in illegality by attempting to stop an election meant to usher in a democratically elected local government council administration in the state as ordered by the Supreme Court.

“Besides, Wike has told some persons that he will do everything to scuttle the local government election and ensure that they impose their people to take over the state by force because he allegedly has the backing of the President to take over the state considered to be
strategic to the President’s
plan to win the 2027 presidential election.

“The President is silent today about the illegality and wickedness Wike is orchestrating against Fubara and the people of Rivers state because the crisis is benefiting him, but he will be help liable ultimately for any breakdown of law and order in the state as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“They have turned Rivers into a theatre to flex federal might and make it a battleground but they must allow the electoral process to be free and fair because it is clear to all that Fubara has the full support of the Rivers’ people.”

According to him, under Wike as the governor of Rivers State, those who fought him were banned from coming to Rivers State to carry out their lawful activities.

“Therefore, it is time for Fubara to take charge and ensure that Rivers State becomes a no go area for all those fighting him politically,” he said.

He lamented that the Nigeria police meant to provide security for the people of Rivers state are only concerned about the political interests and security of Wike.

He called on the international community to note the involvement of the police in foisting illegality in Rivers State on the orders of the Inspector General of Police.

He warned that if the crises now being fanned by the police do occur it would have negative consequences for the people of Rivers state and the economy of the country in view of the level of oil production which is a critical revenue earner for the Federal Government.

END

Signed

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East.

What do you expect in a country where the president single handedly picks the IGP?. He will surely be partisan. This is why the President proposed tenure elongation so that the IGP will continue to do his bidding.

ceejay10:
What do you expect in a country where the president single handedly picks the IGP?. He will surely be partisan. This is why the President proposed tenure elongation so that the IGP will continue to do his bidding.

Tenure elongation is not new. Obasanjo elongated the tenure of office of IGP Sunday Ehindero .
Also, IGP Egbetokun only obeyed the Court order of the Federal High Court regarding Rivers LG election or do you expect the police to act contrary to court order? The right thing to do is for Gov. Fubara to set aside the Federal High court judgement instead of blaming the IGP.

This IGP is the biggest electoral bandit of all time.

k

Everyone now claiming to be obeying court order.....hmm!

So na the IGP be the court that gave orders of no election today?

Simi should stop acting like a sissy

helinues:
So na the IGP be the court that gave orders of no election today?

Simi should stop acting like a sissy

You always support what is bad for Igbo people, why is it so?
Wike is una sissy because of his Hitler tendencies towards, the people that is supposed to be his own people.

Yeye dey smell!

Mbanda:
You always support what is bad for Igbo people, why is it so?
Wike is una sissy because of his Hitler tendencies towards, the people that is supposed to be his own people.

Yeye dey smell!

How is this thread about Igbo?

Why are some of you just so bitter about any discussion related to politics?

helinues:
So na the IGP be the court that gave orders of no election today?

Simi should stop acting like a sissy

Zomby
Provide us with the Court order
Youroba people sef

The truth is, Wike is a terrorist. See how he is terrorizing his own state because of greed.

Antiurchins:


Zomby
Provide us with the Court order
Youroba people sef

No be me send you to just arrived from P&P

Any small thing, una go inject tribes as if some of you don't even have any other things going on in your head

helinues:
So na the IGP be the court that gave orders of no election today?

Simi should stop acting like a sissy

Wike is a man, he is actually Tinubu's godfather. He can even remove Tinubu from President if he likes.

kunle4toyeyaho:
Tenure elongation is not new. Obasanjo elongated the tenure of office of IGP Sunday Ehindero .
Also, IGP Egbetokun only obeyed the Court order of the Federal High Court regarding Rivers LG election or do you expect the police to act contrary to court order? The right thing to do is for Gov. Fubara to set aside the Federal High court judgement instead of blaming the IGP.

oh cause Obasanjo did it so it's the right thing?. See why we are where we are today. Court barred you from partaking in the process. Yet you deployed your men to RSIEC office in the middle of the night to protect the materials for the same process. Make that make sense.

ceejay10:
oh cause Obasanjo did it so it's the right thing?. See why we are where we are today. Court barred you from partaking in the process. Yet you deployed your men to RSIEC office in the middle of the night to protect the materials for the same process. Make that make sense.

pls, try and read the press release of the police regarding the matter and stop being emotional.
The c-in-c is privy to certain information others are not privy to. To sustain democracy and avoid some evil plans by the armed forces certain decisions might be necessary at a time

Mumu governor you are the lawless man in this case

kunle4toyeyaho:
pls, try and read the press release of the police regarding the matter and stop being emotional.
The c-in-c is privy to certain information others are not privy to. To sustain democracy and avoid some evil plans by the armed forces certain decisions might be necessary at a time

I read it thoroughly. It is shallow, contradictory and ridiculous. A rogue judge barred the police from doing their constitutional duties and the police didn't find it necessary to appeal such evil order. They claim they are obeying court order yet they sent their men in the middle of the night to seize electoral materials. You may be daft and gullible but there are still people with brains.

ceejay10:
I read it thoroughly. It is shallow, contradictory and ridiculous. A rogue judge barred the police from doing their constitutional duties and the police didn't find it necessary to appeal such evil order. They claim they are obeying court order yet they sent their men in the middle of the night to seize electoral materials. You may be daft and gullible but there are still people with brains.

Your last statement shows how moronic you are. One doesn't need to argue with you.

kunle4toyeyaho:
Your last statement shows how moronic you are. One doesn't need to argue with you.

that last statement is exactly who you are to be honest. No offence.

ceejay10:
that last statement is exactly who you are to be honest. No offence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjc9Hp4aMds

Tax payers money working against them