NBA reacts to police’s decision not to provide security for Rivers LGA election

NBA says a court can't stop police from carrying out its constitutional duty of providing
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concerns regarding the security arrangements for the Rivers State loocal government elections scheduled for Saturday, 5 October.

This concerns arose from a controversial announcement made by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, that the police would refrain from providing security during the elections, citing compliance with a Federal High Court order.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the register of voters for Rivers State to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 5 October.

In the judgement delivered on Monday, the judge, Peter Lifu, also barred the Inspector General of Police and the State Security Service (SSS) from providing security for the controversial elections.

The judgement was in a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which challenged the legitimacy of the election process.

In a statement released on Friday, NBA President Afam Osigwe described as a “brazen” decision, the police’s refusal to fulfil their constitutional mandate to maintain peace and security..”

Mr Osigwe noted the troubling reports that police officers had allegedly attempted to seize electoral materials from the headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at night.

The branch chairpersons of the NBA in Rivers State had earlier maintained that the police had a non-negotiable duty to ensure public safety.

Echoing a similar view, Mr Osigwe said, “The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security in Rivers State is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.”

He noted the troubling implications of a law enforcement agency declining to protect citizens during a crucial electoral process.

Legal and democratic concerns
The association said the police’s refusal to provide security as not only unconstitutional but also as a serious threat to democratic rights.

Mr Osigwe argued that such an abdication of responsibility could create an environment conducive to lawlessness, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

He warned, “The refusal to provide security is not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral, and a dangerous signal that invites lawlessness and undermines democracy.”

The NBA has called on all security agencies to rise to the challenge of safeguarding lives, property, and the democratic process during this critical period.

He urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to launch an immediate investigation into reports of police attempts to tamper with electoral materials and to ensure that any officers found culpable are held accountable.

Governor Fubara’s standoff with police
Tensions have further escalated with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s public confrontation with the police’s decision to withhold security for the elections.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that Governor Fubara declared that the citizens of Rivers State would take it upon themselves to protect their voting rights.

He staid, “We’ve been taking enough nonsense from this institution,” referring to the police.

He criticised the conflicting court orders issued by both the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja, which have created uncertainty regarding the elections.

He suggested that the police’s actions might be influenced by political motives, particularly the influence of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over law enforcement.

Governor Fubara questioned the rationale behind the police’s refusal to provide security, asserting, “Okay, police don’t provide security, is it the same thing as blocking the election?”

The local government elections in Rivers State have been enmeshed in acrimony, an episode of the escalating feud between Governor Fubara and Mr Wike.

Governor Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to holding the election as scheduled, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and democratic governance in light of the State High Court’s order.

In contrast, both the All Progressive Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have organised a joint protest against the election, citing concerns related to the Federal High Court order.

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

Oghene86:


Go rest abeg, don't they have constitutional duties, is the useless Court order more superior to the constitution

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

ddippset:
Can the Courts order doctors not to save life?

Let us be careful what we foolishly support today,
It might hurt or destroy us tomorrow.

Kewtt:
Court order is court order. Police must obey. Meanwhile the court did not say don't maintain law and order.


The police must prevent any act capable of bringing about any breakdown of law and order including the illegal election.

helinues:


This your arguments no dey make sense at all

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

ddippset:
Talk the one wey make sense make we see ..


You wey dey quarrel with sense since dem born you.

Seefinish:
which court order?
1 Sokoto State conducted local government election using 2023 registers
2. Kwara state conducted local government election using the same 2023 registers.
3. Anambra State conducted local government election using the same 2023 registers
4. Enugu State conducted local government election using the same 2023 registers.
Why is River State is different?

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

IamANigerianMan:

You are talking rubbish, no court can stop any government establishment not to carry out it lawful duty...

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

helinues:


Here we go with half baked knowledge about how things work

michlins:
can any court order stop Tinubu from performing the functions of the president?

These part of the constitution are sacrosanct. Until there's a constitutional review that bars police from providing security for lives and properties, this is absolutely nonsense

helinues:


So the court is now useless?

Some of you just don't know nada about how things work

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

helinues:


This your arguments no dey make sense at all

Saao:
so court is superior to the constitution that created the court? Please next time, just waka pass

helinues:


I don't have time to be wasting with you as you don't know much about how court orders work

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

helinues:


If court barred security operatives from being part of the election, that's a sign that the election is already skewed

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

helinues:


So the court is now useless?

Some of you just don't know nada about how things work