Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has successfully thwarted a brazen attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to seize control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) late in the night at approximately 1 AM on Friday, 4th October 2024.
This development was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor, Nelson Chukwudi who said that these rogue policemen endeavoured to breach the heavily fortified gates and strong room of the Commission to abscond with sensitive electoral materials that were critical for the upcoming local government election scheduled for Saturday.
Chukwudi added that the meticulously planned nocturnal operation seemed ill-conceived and was ultimately foiled when vigilant security personnel stationed at the facility spotted the intruders and swiftly alerted key officials of the Commission, as well as other pertinent government authorities.
“However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
“The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
“Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
“He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
“He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”
The statement further added that, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and a coalition of State and National Assembly members, alongside other concerned stakeholders, are stationed at the RSIEC office to ensure the rogue policemen, who arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, do not return, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the elections scheduled to proceed as planned on Saturday.
