Governor Similanayi Fubara of Rivers State has warned Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that he will be held accountable for any lawlessness in the state.
This follows an incident where Fubara stopped an alleged attempt by the police to seize election materials ahead of local elections.
Fubara said during a press briefing in Port Harcourt that the police should protect citizens, not interfere in elections. He explained that he received a security report early Friday morning, alerting him that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office had been approached by police. This surprised him, as he had been informed earlier that the police officers guarding the office were being withdrawn.
Fubara said he rushed to the RISEC office and found several intimidating police officers and empty vans trying to enter the premises. He stopped them, describing their actions as a coordinated attempt to steal election materials, which he was able to prevent.
“I am saying this here so that the IGP should be aware and just to know that any action that will bring a situation of lawlessness in this state and I think at the end of the day, he should be prepared to take responsibility,” Fubara said.
He added, “In the early hours of this morning I got a security report that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office had been invaded by the Nigerian Police. I was really surprised because before that time, I got a copy of a signal withdrawing the police officers that were guiding the premises. So, I had to drive to the premises myself since the facility belongs to the Rivers State Government.”
Fubara further detailed the situation, “Getting to the scene and to the shock of everyone who escorted me there, I met the presence of some fierce looking policemen in one truck and three other empty vans trying to force their way into the premises. And I had to stop them.”
He claimed the police were attempting to steal election materials but was able to foil the plan. He questioned the legal basis for the police action, asking why the Rivers State was being treated differently.
“Why is the case of Rivers State different? What is the special thing about this issue of taking over the premises?” Fubara asked, expressing concerns about interference in the election process.