The Nigeria Police Force has issued a stern warning against any form of violence as local government elections commence in the state today. This statement comes amid rising tensions and allegations from the state government that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun is colluding with opposition groups.
On Tuesday, police officers were spotted at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIEC), despite a Federal High Court ruling that prohibits police involvement in the elections. This presence raised eyebrows, particularly from Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who accused the police of attempting to tamper with election materials.
In a response issued on Friday night, police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi expressed discontent over the governor’s comments, stating that the accusations against the IGP and the police were unfounded. The statement emphasized that threats of violence and bloodshed over local government elections would not be tolerated, reaffirming the police’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the state. To enhance security during the elections, the IGP has ordered a heightened police presence across Rivers State, urging citizens to conduct their lawful activities without fear.
The police clarified that their officers at the RIEC were there to provide security against potential overnight attacks. IGP Egbetokun remarked that he had instructed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to respect the court order and avoid direct involvement in the election process. However, reports indicated that officers from the Rivers State Government House were deployed to assist the RIEC, leading to the decision to replace them with police from the Command Operations department to ensure the safety of the RIEC facility.
The IGP expressed his shock at the governor’s late-night visit to the RIEC office and criticized the baseless accusations against the police. He urged the governor to refrain from derogatory remarks and to engage in political matters with decorum. The police reiterated that their actions were driven by a commitment to maintaining law and order amid a backdrop of political tensions and security breaches in the state.