October 04, (THEWILL) – An attempt by a detachment of rogue policemen allegedly sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters ahead of Saturday’s local government elections was foiled on Friday, by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
THEWILL gathered that the rogue officers forcefully gained entrance into the premises and strong room of RSIEC at about 1am on Friday, in an alleged “attempt to steal sensitive materials” meant for the conduct of the October 5, 2024, local government elections in the state.
While vigilant security personnel on duty raised the alarm and alerted key officers of the commission and relevant authorities, Governor Fubara immediately mobilised a team of senior government officials, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and the Rivers State House of Assembly, prominent political stakeholders, and other key leaders who stormed the RSIEC facility, preventing the attempted takeover of the facility.
Speaking at the scene, Governor Fubara expressed his outrage, saying: “They said DC Operation brought them here to withdraw the policemen that are already here protecting this place so that new officers will take over the place, but I have to say this on a very strong note, we’ve taken enough nonsense from this institution.
“Everybody is aware of the court judgment and even the judgment as they call it, did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not hold? It said don’t give voters register, what are we doing with it? Okay, police don’t provide security, is it the same thing as blocking the election?
“I don’t know the relationship between the Inspector General of Police and one person who claims he has so much power in this state. I don’t know the relationship because it’s beginning to go beyond a professional relationship.
“The government wrote a letter to him, and what he is acting on is the judgment he got from the Federal High Court. Even if we should go by that, did the judgment say elections should be barred?
“Lifu, the Justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather he tactically said don’t provide. We don’t need your security, we will provide our own security after all it happened in Anambra.
“Go away with your security, but this election must be held. If you like, whatever you want to do, do it. Elections will be held, people will be sworn in! I say it here.
“What kind of a country is this? And when it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself, you call yourself Inspector-General of Police. Enough is enough!
“I will be there, in fact, if I go back and I hear anybody… I will come. This is my property, and you don’t have any right whatsoever to bar me from entering. Just try it, then part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent Inspector-General of Police will include shooting Fubara. I think I’ve given you enough respect.
“Well let me say this to all Rivers indigene, everyone residing in Rivers State, the election will hold. Election will hold, anything that wants to happen let it happen. So, everybody just relax, nothing is happening. We know that this is going to be the last fight and we’ll take it to the end. Thank you.”
