By Godwin Chukwumaechi, Port Harcourt
The governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stressed that there is no going back on Saturday’s council elections, adding that any attempt to stop the exercise would be resisted the by state government.
The governor, in a press conference at the Government House in Port Harcourt Friday morning, stated that despite the Police’s Thursday night withdrawal from the exercise, the election would go as other security agencies are on ground to provide to security for the elections.
“Election on Saturday is sacrosanct, any attempt or group of attempts to stop this election, we will resist it”, Gov. Fubara stated urging “I want you people to know that we are prepared. Election on Saturday is sacrosanct. We must join hands to ensure that the election holds”.
He added; “we have done everything that is needed and we will ensure that this election is going on”.
He blamed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Agbotekun for the withdrawal of the police saying; “On the issue of security, if the police feels they won’t be part of the election, they should withdraw. Am saying this here so that the Inspector General of Police will be aware, and to also know that any act against this will bring the situation of lawlessness in this state, and I think at the end of the day, he should be prepared to take responsibility”.
He further clarified the attempted security breach at the RSIEC office, early morning of Friday. “I got a security report early this morning that the RSIEC office have been invaded by the Nigerian Police. I was really surprised because before that time I got a copy of a signal withdrawing police officers that were guiding the premises.
“So, I had to drive to the place myself, since the facility belongs to the Rivers State government. On getting there and to the shock of everyone who escorted me there, I met the presence of some fierce looking policemen in one truck and three other empty van trying to force their way into the premises and I had to stop them.
“In the process, we discovered that the movement was a deliberate attempt by the Nigerian Police Force both the headquarters and the Rivers Command to steal the electoral materials. But by the special grace of God, that act was foiled”.
Gov. Fubara justified his visit to RSIEC wondering; “What is RSIEC? Its a facility, its an agency, it is a process that is being controlled by the state government. It is a process, a system that it is the law of the State that governs it.
“If we should go by what they claimed that they have a court order, the court ruling said don’t give RSIEC voters register, don’t give RSIEC police protection. Did the judgment say seal the premises? Don’t allow them conduct election.
“However, the Rivers State Government and the RSIEC itself also had a judgement that states clearly that the election should be conducted with the voters register of 2023. The order also mandated the Police, DSS, Nigerian Army and other sister agencies to provide security for the exercise.
“I might not be a lawyer but I understand clearly that when it comes to issue of judgement, there is something they call first in time. So, what is this special interest about the Federal High Court judgment?
“Why are they looking for a way to stampede this state? The Supreme Court gave a judgement that all local government activities must be coordinated by elected local government officers.
“The President of the Federal Republic and the state governors agreed that compliance to this judgement should be in 90 days with effect from the judgment and every other states are conducting elections to ensure that 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. And the question is, is any other court bigger than the Supreme Court?
“I don’t want to join issues with the judge because he had his reasons, but the question is, after the incident that happened in Nigeria, in June 12, the Supreme Court ruled that when it comes to the issue of election, no court should stop the process of the election.
“If you feel aggrieved and you don’t want to participate in the election, you go to court. Why do you want to stop the process of election? To create problem and anarchy in the state?
“We are already complaining of suffering, people are hungry and you want to stampede the civil servants at the local governments in the state.
“This morning, I want to assure Nigerians and the peace loving people of Rivers State, that we have done everything that is needed and we will ensure that this election goes ahead.
“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.
“I don’t need to invite the Nigerian Police, your responsibility is to maintain peace and order. There is no court in this country that I know that will give you an order to be an enemy to a state. So am surprised that the police has decided to be enemy to Rivers State. But I want to believe that this information that we are getting and this action you are taking is not coming from the right source. If that is the truth, you better correct yourself”.
