Tension don dey Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara insist say local government election must hold today, despite stiff opposition from different quarters. The governor accuse the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force of serving the interest of an Abuja-based politician to scuttle the election.
Fubara make dis accusation during a press conference at Government House in Port Harcourt, where he warn that if any breakdown of law and order happen, the police chiefs, including the state and headquarters in Abuja, should be held responsible. He also remind the IGP that local government election be the internal affairs of states and advise him to allow the federation unit to conduct its affairs without interference.
The Nigeria Police Force, however, withdraw from the election, citing a Federal High Court order that bars them from participating. The Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, say the police will not fold their arms and allow Fubara carry out his alleged threats of burning down the state for selfish purposes. Adejobi also condemn Fubara for using unprintable words to describe the Inspector-General of Police and advise caution and decency in the pursuit of individual political goals.
Supporters of Fubara occupy the entrance of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, insisting that elections will hold across the LGAs of the state. The situation dey tense as different groups, including those loyal to former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, and Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, dey locked in a fight to control the political structure at the grassroots.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar don also back Fubara, praising his courage and saying the planned local government election be an affirmation of constitutionalism and the Rule of Law. Atiku encourage every resident to embrace their civic duty with peace and purpose as they cast their votes.
