By Ezekiel David
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has instructed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police to restore law and order in response to recent violent confrontations at local government secretariats.
The incidents, involving property damage, occurred after the secretariats were unsealed following a period of closure due to political disputes.
The unrest stemmed from a power struggle over control of the local government secretariats between elected chairmen whose tenure had expired and a caretaker committee appointed by the state government.
This dispute, which was pending in court, led to the initial sealing of the secretariats. On October 6, 2024, following reports that the state government had sworn in the elected chairmen, the police unsealed the secretariats.
The decision to open the secretariats was made because the police were committed to maintaining their impartiality in the state’s political landscape and ensuring that democratic procedures ran smoothly, according to Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) Olumuyiwa Adejobi. Governor Fubara, on the other hand, took offence at this conduct and openly attacked the police and IGP.
Adejobi backed the IGP’s actions, stressing his dedication to keeping the peace and enforcing the law. He brought up the IGP’s leadership and honesty, highlighting his illustrious career and current position as Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO).
Adejobi stated, “Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria. The NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Governor of Rivers State, his administration, or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted”.
The Force PRO provided a detailed account of the legal complexities surrounding the Rivers State Local Government elections crisis. He explained that the police had received conflicting court orders. The first, from the Federal High Court on July 19, 2024, prohibited police involvement in the local government elections.
A subsequent order from the Rivers State High Court on September 4, 2024, directed the police to provide security for the elections. Finally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court nullified all previous activities related to the elections and ordered the police to refrain from providing security.
Given these conflicting directives, the IGP consulted the Force Legal section, which includes a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Based on their advice, the IGP instructed the Rivers State Police Command to adhere to the Federal High Court ruling.
In a letter dated October 2, 2024, Governor Fubara was also informed of this decision and urged to abide by the court’s ruling to maintain peace and stability in Rivers State. Adejobi reiterated the police force’s dedication to following the law and remaining impartial in his closing remarks.