Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has advised the Nigeria Police Force to stay away from Saturday’s local government elections.
Fubara told the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun to steer clear of the state as he would provide security during the election.
The governor faulted the decision of the Police not to participate in the local government election due to a court restraining order.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Election’, had said the Police has received a restraining order preventing the Force from providing security during the LG elections.
The Command also said it is aware of the 30th September 2024 judgement of the Federal High Court Abuja which barred the Force from participating in the poll.
However, addressing a gathering on Friday, Fubara said: “We presented the letter with the judgment we had to him (IGP) and what he’s acting on is the judgment from the Federal High Court. Even at that, did the Federal High Court say elections should be barred?
“The justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather he technically said don’t provide.
“We don’t need your security because we will provide our own security, after all, it happened in Anambra.
“This election must hold, results would be declared and people will be sworn in. What kind of a country is this?”