October 04, (THEWILL) – Ahead of Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, youths, on Friday, took over the office of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to protect the facility from further incursion by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
The youths, who defied the heavy rainfall in the state, occupied the RSIEC premises to ensure the safety and security of election materials.
Singing and chanting “Election must hold”, several canopies have been set up by the youths with one side of the road blocked.
In attendance at the venue were Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Victor Oko-Jumbo, Speaker of Pro-Fubara lawmakers, and Sokari Goodboy, the member representing Ahoada West.
THEWILL reports that the development comes after a failed attempt by rogue elements of the Nigeria Police Force allegedly sent by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the RSIEC headquarters ahead of the election.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has said its personnel would not provide security for the local government elections.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement, said the action follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered on September 30, 2024, which prohibits the Nigeria Police Force from participating in or providing security for the election.
According to Iringe-Koko, the Rivers State Police Command was advised by the Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force to comply with the court order.
She also said necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders while directing all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.
THEWILL had reported that the Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, September 30, restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the October 5, 2024, local government election in the state.
Justice Peter Lifu also barred the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of the State Service (DSS) from providing security for the elections.
Earlier, a Rivers State High Court had ordered security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to provide adequate security and ensure the maintenance of peace, law and order during and after the October 5 local government polls in the state.
The court also ordered RSIEC to conduct elections using the National Register of Voters for the 2023 General Election compiled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
