Nigeria Police Force is alleged to have instructed its commanders to enforce a Federal High Court ruling against the upcoming local government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5 in Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State had in the early hours of Friday led a strong delegation to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt following an alleged attempt to break into the facility to cart away materials meant for Saturday’s LG election.
Speaking in very strong terms, when he addressed the press in the wee hours of Friday, Fubara insisted that the election will hold even if the police shoot at him.
Policemen allegedly deployed from neighboring Abia State were said to have stormed the place to carry out the mission foiled by the Governor and his loyalists.
But in a statement issued by the State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, the police recalled that a Federal High Court in Abuja, on July 19, 2024, issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the election.
The police emphasized that they had been advised by their Force Legal Department to adhere to the September 30, 2024, court judgment, which prohibited their involvement in the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, in Rivers State.
The statement reads: “Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.
“Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.”
Opposition parties recently protested, calling for compliance with the court orders and expressing their commitment to ensuring that the law is upheld.
Speaking further, the police urged all parties to pursue legal redress if they are dissatisfied with any decisions or actions related to the election process.
“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.
The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances.
“Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court,” the statement added.