By Chukwuma Umeorah
The South East, South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has called for immediate withdrawal of the police from the secretariats of the 23 local government councils in Rivers State.
The Police had, last month, announced the temporary takeover of all the council secretariats and critical government infrastructure in the state, following what it described as breakdown of law and order at the various local government secretariats in the state.
The SESSPN, however, condemned the action in what it described as a manifestly illegal, baseless, rootless, and irresponsible police siege, warning that failure to comply would result in legal actions and peaceful protests.
At an interactive press conference in Lagos, President of the SESSPN, Hannibal Uwaifo, expressed concern over the ongoing police occupation, which he argued prevents local government workers from performing their legitimate duties.
SESSPN highlighted that the council workers were not involved in any court case and did not invite the police for protection.
“Additionally, the police are not parties to the cases in court, and the courts never mandated the police to act on their behalf,” he lamented.
Uwaifo argued that the police lacked the capacity to determine the duration of court cases, making an indefinite closure of council secretariats unreasonable.
“There is a valid court judgment effectively nullifying the local government amendment law, which purportedly extended the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State. That is what the police are to enforce, but that is not what they are doing,” Uwaifo emphasised, highlighting the perceived partisanship of the police.
The SESSPN further contended that the police should focus on identifying and prosecuting troublemakers instead of shutting down the entire system. “The duty of the police is to identify the troublemakers, arrest and prosecute them, not to close down an entire system,” the statement continued.
They commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his maturity in handling the crisis, urging all stakeholders to prioritise the state’s well-being over personal and political interests. “We commend Governor Fubara for the maturity and candour he has exhibited in the face of these provocations, and assure him that the SESSPN will stand by him in all that is legal for the people of Rivers State.”
SESSPN’s General Secretary, Kalu Onuma, also addressed the escalating economic and social issues plaguing Nigeria, criticising the Federal Government’s policies that have exacerbated poverty and hunger.
“While the prices of foodstuffs, goods and services, have increased astronomically beyond the reach of most Nigerians, the Federal Government seems to be content with making frivolous appointments, increasing taxes, and budgeting for the luxuries of its officials,” Onuma lamented.
The Group also commented on the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo State, urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent and fair election. “The SESSPN, hereby, calls on the INEC to redeem its image by conducting a very transparent election in Edo State,” they stated.