The Rivers State Police Command has refuted claims that its officers sealed off the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office to obstruct the forthcoming local government council elections scheduled for Saturday. The police clarified that their presence was solely to maintain law and order, not to hinder the election process.
On Tuesday, reports surfaced that heavily armed officers had cordoned off the RSIEC office in Port Harcourt, sparking concerns that the police were attempting to prevent the election from taking place. This occurred as the police dispersed a group of youths who had gathered to launch a protest in the state.
The police clarification comes as Rivers State governor, Sir Sim Fubara had insisted earlier on Monday that the local government election in the state must hold as scheduled.
Adding to the controversy, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had earlier restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register used in the 2023 general elections to RSIEC.
However, in a swift response, the Police Command dismissed these claims. Grace Iringe-Koko, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police, explained that officers were stationed at the RSIEC office under the directive of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, to prevent any potential attacks on the facility amidst the ongoing nationwide protest.
Iringe-Koko also debunked allegations circulating on social media that the police assaulted protesters, urging the public to verify their facts before spreading false information.
“There is no truth to the reports that our officers sealed off RSIEC or assaulted protesters. Our men are there purely for security purposes and to ensure peace in the area,” she stated.
…election must hold -Gov. Fubara; calls for massive participation
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has charged members of Simplicity Movement, a socio-political group to support his administration to protect the integrity of Rivers State, defend its common wealth and dispense the dividends of good governance in the State.
Governor Fubara spoke while receiving members of the group who paid him a solidarity visit at Government House Gate, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The governor tasked the body to shun violence and embrace the peace mantra that has been the hallmark of his administration.
He thanked the group for their voluntary support to his administration at a time when some people are procuring artificial loyalty and support.
“I need to set the record straight. I hardly come out to receive people when they come for solidarity. But I had a reason for coming out today. My coming out here is to show the leadership of this movement that I didn’t lobby them, they gathered and said they want to support us.”
“You know at this time people are paying people to support them but we don’t do it, people come out on their own to show support. Knowing the caliber of the founder of this group and the role he played with the other people and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration I decided to honour him by coming to address you.”
“Our message is very simple and straight. We must join our hands together, everyone of us must protect our State. We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the common wealth of this State belongs to everyone that is why our slogan is Rivers first. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime, there won’t be hunger, and there will be employment.”
The Governor said the Local Government elections in the State will hold as scheduled on October 5 and urged the group and Rivers people to participate actively in the LG polls.
“Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for elections on October 5, I want you to participate actively in that election. That election is going to be the turnaround. It will be the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody. And you can see that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.”
“What is structure? Structure is ownership, the one who controls the LGA, the one who controls the resources, the one who gives employment to our people, the one who shares the State and the Local Government resources among his people. And that is what I want this government to stand for. So please ensure that you participate in that election.”
“That election is a very important ingredient that will help us chart the new phase or will I say, the second phase of our struggle. But the most important thing is that I want you to maintain the peace that I preach all the time. This State is dear to me and anyone who loves this State will understand that what is important is to maintain peace.”
Sir Fubara described his emergence as Governor of Rivers State at this period as an act of providence which goes with a deep sense of responsibility and called for the total support of Rivers people to succeed.
“I can also say this here, if Fubara is not here, God would have also provided another person that would have also taken this cause, because it is a divine cause. However, we are the one here, we will stand with you and with your support we will do the work to the end.”
In his remarks, the leader of the Simplicity Movement in Rivers State, High Chief Sogboma Jackreece, said the body is founded out of the love for Governor Fubara’s leadership style which has brought unprecedented achievements in Rivers State within the short period in office.
He declared the total support of the body to Governor Fubara to promote good governance, stating that plots by some elements to frustrate Governor Fubara’s leadership will be resisted.