The Nigeria Police Force has directed its commanders to enforce a Federal High Court ruling that prohibits the local government elections set to take place tomorrow in Rivers State.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had led a strong delegation to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office in Port Harcourt early Friday, after an alleged attempt to break into the facility to steal materials intended for the Saturday election.
Police officers, reportedly from neighboring Abia State, were said to have stormed the office, but the mission was thwarted by the Governor and his supporters.
In a statement by the Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police referred to a July 19, 2024, Federal High Court order in Abuja, which barred the police and other security agencies from providing security for the election.
The police further emphasized that their Force Legal Department advised them to adhere to a subsequent court judgment from September 30, 2024, which reiterated the prohibition of their involvement in the October 5, 2024, local government elections.
The statement read, “On September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment prohibiting the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election. The Force has been advised to follow this ruling.”
Naija News reports that opposition parties have protested, demanding compliance with the court’s orders and vowing to uphold the law. The police also urged any aggrieved parties to seek legal remedies.
The statement added, “The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek legal redress if they are dissatisfied with decisions related to the election process. We are committed to maintaining law and order and will take necessary actions to enforce the court’s orders.
All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders are directed to ensure full compliance with the Federal High Court’s ruling.”