By Our Reporters
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Secretariat in Rivers State.
This was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer.
The order, Olumuyiwa disclosed is in response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena.
He noted that in the just concluded local government elections in Rivers, the police he said “reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.”
Street News had reported that the State Governor, Sim Fubara had accused the Nigerian Police Force of besieging the local government offices, carrying election materials and trying to stop the just concluded LG elections.
Fubara had also accused the IGP, of having a relationship outside “official” friendship with an undisclosed Federal Government Minister.
The statement reads in part
“In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections.
“The Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.
“Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.
“And thirdly, The Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.
“The misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was totally uncalled for, and unfair to the Law Enforcement Institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police.
“In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, directed the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State which were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who control the local government secretariat between elected chairmen whose tenure expired and caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government which matter was pending in court.
“The unsealing yesterday 06/10/24 after the police received the report that elected chairmen has been sworn in by the state government. The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development in the state and allowing smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state. “
