Rivers LG Poll: Police Gives Reason For Non-Participation

The Rivers State Police Command has said it would comply fully with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which barred it from participating in the October 5 local government election in the state.

This came less than 24 hours after some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by the state party chairman, Aaron Chukwuemeka, and their supporters protested against the conduct of the election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

The protesters marched to the headquarters of the Department of State Services and the State Police Command in Port Harcourt, asking the two agencies to respect the existing court order and hands off the poll, even as Aaron submitted a petition and a copy of the judgment to the officials of both outfits.

READ ALSO: Fubara Insists On LG Poll Amid Protests By Wike Allies

The police, however, explained that adhering to the court order does not mean that its operatives will fold their arms and allow security breaches.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Port Harcourt .

Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, said the decision is a sequel to the directives by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.

While insisting that it had studied the two court judgment it received restraining them from participating, she advised citizens to remain peaceful

The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming local government election, particularly in the light of recent court rulings.

“On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the local government election.

“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.

“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law.

“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.