Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has made it clear that nothing will hinder the upcoming local government elections in the state. His resolute declaration came early Friday morning when he visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office in Port Harcourt, the state capital, where police operatives had barricaded access to the electoral materials.
Fubara’s visit followed concerns over the police presence at the RISEC premises, which he deemed unnecessary. The Rivers police command had previously announced that it would not provide security for the elections, citing compliance with a federal high court order from Abuja. Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, confirmed this stance.
Upon his arrival, Fubara expressed his discontent with the situation, suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, was acting on the orders of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. “We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police are coming to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara stated.
He added, “I have to say this on a very strong note. We have been taking enough nonsense from this institution. Everybody is aware of the court judgment.
The governor highlighted that the court ruling did not explicitly bar the election from taking place but rather instructed that the voter register should not be released. “Did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not be held?” he questioned, adding that the police’s non-provision of security should not equate to blocking the electoral process.
He said, “It (judgment) said don’t give voter register. What are we doing with it? Police, don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as blocking the election? Did the judgment of the federal high court say election should be barred? Rather, it tactically said don’t provide (security). We don’t need your security. We will provide our security.”
Fubara affirmed his commitment to ensuring that the elections proceed, stating, “Whatever you want to do, do it. The election will be held, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in.”
Fubara’s determination extended to a strong warning, stating that only an act of violence against him could stop the elections. “When it comes to the issue of Rivers state, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself. Enough is enough. I will be here. This (RSIEC) is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. That part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent inspector-general will include shooting Fubara,” he declared. He further stressed that the conduct of the elections would serve as a referendum on the control of grassroots governance in the state, given the ongoing power struggle between his administration and that of Wike.
He stated, “I think I have given you enough respect. Let me tell all Rivers indigenes and everyone residing in Rivers state. The election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen.”
Tensions have been palpable in Rivers State in the lead-up to the local government elections, particularly following a federal court ruling on September 30 that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC. The ruling also prevented the IGP and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the elections.
On October 2, INEC said it had not released the voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election, in compliance with the verdict of the federal high court.
Despite protests from various factions, including a significant demonstration at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on October 3, Fubara has remained steadfast. He has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays to facilitate the electoral process, reaffirming his intent to see the elections through amid the prevailing chaos. As the situation develops, all eyes remain on Rivers State, where the electoral outcome may have far-reaching implications for its political landscape.
Melissa Enoch
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