Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has slammed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his role in the state local government election to be held on Saturday, warning that he has taken “enough nonsense from the police.”
Fubara stated this early morning on Friday when he rushed to the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital following reports that some police officers with some miscreants had, by 1 am on Friday, gone to take over the office of RSIEC to stop the election of October 5.
While condemning the role the IG has been playing, the governor insisted the election will go ahead whether anyone likes it or not.
Speaking after a tour of the facility to ensure everything was in order, Fubara said, “We came here this morning when we heard that, according to what they called themselves – Nigeria Police, are coming to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. And I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen.
“From what I heard, that, one DC Operations brought them here to withdraw the policemen that were already here protecting this place so that new officers will take over the place.
“But I have to say this, on a very strong note, we’ve been taking enough nonsense from this institution,” Fubara fumed.
He clarified that, “Everybody is aware of the court judgment, and even the judgment as they call it, the ruling — did the ruling specify anywhere that election should not hold?
“It said, ‘don’t give voters register’. What are we doing with it?
“Okay, the police don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as burking the election?
“I don’t know what the relationship between the Inspector-General of Police and one person who claims he has so much power in this state, because it is beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship,” he warned.
He added that, “I said the government wrote a letter with the judgment that we have, to him, and what he is acting on is what he called the judgment he got from the Federal High Court. Even at that, did the judgment from the Federal High Court say election should be barred?”
The governor explained that the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja did not order that there should be no election; rather, it said the police should not provide security during the election process.
Speaking on the judgment handed down by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal Court Abuja, Fubara bemoaned the ruling saying, “Lifu, that Justice who gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather, he technically said, ‘Don’t provide, don’t provide!’
“We don’t need your security, we will provide our security. After all, it happened in Anambra State. But this election must hold!
“If you like, whatever it is you want to do, do it. The election will be held, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in.
“When it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself. You call yourself the Inspector-General of Police. Enough is enough! If I go back and hear anybody, I will come here.
“This is my property, and you don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. I think I have given enough respect.”
Addressing the indigenes of the state, Fubara said, “Election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen. We are ready. We know that this one is going to be the last fight, and we will take it to the end.”
The police have yet to react to this accusation and warning from the governor as of the time of filing this report.