Showdown at RISIEC: Tensions Escalate as Governor Fubara Blocks Alleged Police Plot Ahead of Rivers LG Elections
Rivers State, Nigeria – In a dramatic turn of events, suspected loyalists of Rivers Governor Sim Fubara confronted and chased away armed policemen deployed at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) office on Friday, just a day before the contentious local government elections scheduled for Saturday.
A viral video captured the chaotic scene, showing officers being jeered and labeled as “thieves” as they hastily maneuvered their vehicles out of the facility. The policemen, transported in trucks and patrol vans, were forced to retreat in the face of the crowd’s fury.
According to reports, Governor Fubara, along with state officials and members of the House of Assembly, arrived at the commission’s office shortly after the incident. A statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary revealed that the police, led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), attempted to seize control of the RISIEC at around 1 a.m. on October 4, 2024.
The statement alleged that these officers sought to breach the gates and secure sensitive electoral materials intended for the local government elections. Fubara accused the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of orchestrating the deployment but stated the plan was thwarted when vigilant security personnel alerted the commission’s officials and relevant government authorities.
In response, the Governor mobilized a team comprising government officials, National Assembly lawmakers, and political leaders to secure the facility. Fubara condemned the police actions as illegal and asserted that the IGP’s actions, allegedly influenced by connections with certain Abuja-based politicians, were unwarranted.
He emphasized the importance of allowing states to manage their internal electoral affairs without external interference. To ensure the elections proceed as planned, key figures, including the Chief of Staff and members of the State and National Assemblies, have taken positions at the RISIEC office to prevent the police from returning.
The political landscape remains tumultuous, as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike and a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Chief Tony Okocha have announced their withdrawal from the elections, citing irregularities and a lack of due process by the RISIEC. Conversely, another APC faction, loyal to former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and led by Emeka Beke, is set to proceed, having distributed party flags to candidates across 22 of the 23 local government areas in the state.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the elections scheduled for Saturday, amid rising tensions and allegations of electoral manipulation.
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