Gov Fubara speaking at RSIEC office on Friday
By Deborah Sunday
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, said he foiled an attempt by ‘rogue elements of the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)’, to take control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) early Friday morning.
According to a statement from the Governor’s media aide, Nelson Chukwudi, the policemen reportedly attempted to breach the gates and the strong room of RSIEC in a bid to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for Saturday’s local government elections.
The governor claimed that the operation was sanctioned by the Inspector-General of Police IGP, whom the governor alleged ‘is corrupt’ and working with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike to destabilize the state.
Photo: Policemen at the RSIEC office on Friday morning
However, Chukwudi said the plot was foiled when vigilant security personnel alerted key officials within the commission and the state government, prompting immediate action from the Governor.
“Upon receiving the alert, Governor Fubara swiftly mobilized a team of government officials, including members of the National and State Assemblies, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to the scene.”
Speaking to reporters outside the RSIEC office on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara strongly condemned their actions after confronting the officers, accusing the IGP of overstepping boundaries due to his connections with certain Abuja-based politicians.
“The Governor emphasized that the sudden withdrawal of police officers who were already assigned to secure the facility, and their replacement with forces from a neighboring state, was completely unacceptable.
Fubara further reminded the IGP that the conduct of local government elections is a state affair and called on him to respect the federal structure by refraining from undue interference in the internal matters of Rivers State, the statement.
At present, key government officials, including the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and both State and National Assembly members, along with other stakeholders, are maintaining a watchful presence at the RSIEC office to prevent any further attempts by the rogue officers. The elections are expected to proceed as scheduled on Saturday.
