The Nigeria Police Force has instructed its commanders to enforce a Federal High Court ruling that blocks the local government elections scheduled for tomorrow in Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State had led a delegation to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt early on Friday, following an alleged attempt to break into the facility and steal materials intended for the Saturday election. It was reported that policemen from neighboring Abia State were deployed for the mission but were stopped by the governor and his supporters.
In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police recalled that a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a restraining order on July 19, 2024, preventing security agencies from providing security for the election.
The police emphasized that their Force Legal Department had advised them to follow the court’s judgment, issued on September 30, 2024, which further prohibited their involvement in the local government election slated for October 5, 2024, in Rivers State.
The statement read: “Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a ruling that again barred the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the local government elections.”
“Given these legal directives, the Force Legal Department has advised that the court’s ruling takes precedence,” the statement added.News reports that opposition parties have protested, calling for adherence to the court’s orders and pledging to ensure that the law is respected.
Shoutouttvblog News reports that opposition parties have protested, calling for adherence to the court’s orders and pledging to ensure that the law is respected.
The police also urged all parties to seek legal recourse if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions surrounding the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all concerned parties to pursue appropriate legal channels if they are dissatisfied with any decisions,” the statement concluded.