Rivers State Police Denies Sealing RSIEC Office Ahead of LG Elections
The Rivers State Police Command has rejected allegations that it sealed off the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in anticipation of local government elections set for October 5.
According to The PUNCH, police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko clarified that officers were stationed at the RSIEC office solely to provide security and protect the facility from potential threats, denying any claims of occupation or blockade.
“There’s no truth to these claims; they are simply fabrications by certain individuals. Is there a court order mandating the police to take control of the office? Why would people invent such stories?” Iringe-Koko pointed out. “The police presence there is strictly for security reasons, especially since there are concerns about critical infrastructure being targeted for attacks.”
Despite a recent ruling from the Federal High Court that prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voters’ register to the RSIEC for the forthcoming local elections, RSIEC officials remain committed to proceeding with the elections as scheduled. The ruling, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu, stated that RSIEC had violated established legal procedures.
Tamunotonye Tobins, RSIEC’s Commissioner for Civic Education and Public Affairs, expressed confidence in the commission’s readiness for the elections. “There is no barricade; the police officers present were deployed at the request of RSIEC. The election will proceed as planned, and the police are there performing their routine security functions in preparation for the elections,” Tobins explained.
An unnamed RSIEC official also indicated that the commission had previously received the updated 2023 voters’ register, used in the recent presidential election, prior to the court’s ruling. When asked about the possibility of the elections still occurring despite the judicial decision, she affirmed, “Absolutely, the elections will take place on October 5.”
In contrast, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized RSIEC’s intention to proceed with the elections, labeling it a contempt of court. Chibuike Ikenga, the Publicity Secretary of Chief Tony Okocha-led APC faction, highlighted that the APC had previously obtained a court order which barred RSIEC from conducting elections and prohibited police involvement for security.
“You may recall that just before Monday, we secured an order restraining RSIEC from continuing with the election and preventing police support. The order issued was a reinforcement of an earlier directive,” Ikenga asserted.
He further accused RSIEC of partiality, claiming it was acting as an agent for Governor Siminalayi Fubara rather than remaining neutral. “It is evident what we are observing in Rivers State under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who consistently disregards court orders and seeks counter orders from jurisdictions that lack the authority to handle such matters,” Ikenga criticized.
He stressed the necessity of compliance with the law and expressed apprehension about the consequences of the governor’s potential disregard for the court ruling. “It’s essential to do what’s right. The police, the DSS, and INEC need not disregard the Federal High Court’s directives,” he concluded.
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