“Rivers Governor Fubara Accuses IG Egbetokun of Sabotage, Asserts Elections Can Proceed Without Police Security”
By Okafor Joseph Afam
October 4, 2024
In a passionate outburst, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has directed sharp criticism at the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, amid a brewing controversy regarding the upcoming local government elections in the state. This confrontation unfolded on Friday morning when Fubara visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, expressing his discontent with the police’s actions surrounding the election security.
The governor alleged a troubling collaboration between the IG and certain influential figures, hinting at a connection with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. “The Inspector General of Police should be ashamed of himself,” Fubara declared, his voice echoing through the RSIEC office. “I came here after learning that the police wanted to withdraw officers stationed for election duties, claiming elections would not proceed due to a court order. Which court order says elections should not hold here?” he asked, visibly frustrated.
Fubara argued that no court had explicitly prohibited the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State. He pointed to a recent directive from the Federal High Court that only restricted the police from providing security, stating, “We do not need your security. It happened in Anambra; enough is enough.”
He made it clear that he was prepared to confront the situation head-on, even at great personal risk. “If the IG wants to take his fight to that level, let him come,” Fubara asserted. “I am ready to be shot by the police and fight till the very end. This is the last fight, and we will see it through.”
The backdrop of this political drama is steeped in controversy. On September 30, a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued a ruling barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the RSIEC. INEC later confirmed it had withheld the voter register, adhering to the federal court’s ruling. In a stark contrast, a Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt ordered the RSIEC to move forward with the local government elections scheduled for October 5.
As the tension escalates, Fubara’s defiant stance against the police signals a deepening political rift in Rivers State, with implications that could resonate beyond the immediate electoral landscape. The governor’s refusal to yield to perceived intimidation underscores a determined bid to assert the state’s autonomy in the face of federal oversight and judicial interference.
With local government elections just around the corner, all eyes are now on how the situation will unfold and whether the polls will proceed as planned amidst the backdrop of legal challenges and public outcry.
