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Tensions are escalating in Rivers State as the camps of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, gear up for a heated showdown over Saturday local government elections.
On Saturday morning, election materials were seen being distributed to the various polling units across the state even as uncertainty looms over how the election will unfold, with conflicting signals from various quarters.
While the National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) supports participation in the election, the Rivers State chapter, loyal to Wike, has urged party members to boycott the election
The police, citing court orders, announced they would not provide security for the election, calling on other agencies to follow suit. Governor Fubara, accusing the police of bias, insisted that the election would proceed as planned, with the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) affirming its commitment to conduct the election despite legal hurdles.
Meanwhile, the Action People’s Party (APP) disavowed a faction claiming leadership in the state and backed RSIEC’s decision to proceed with the polls.
Governor Fubara further accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Nigeria Police Force of conspiring with an “Abuja-based politician” to sabotage the election.
During a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the governor declared that the election could not be halted simply because one individual opposed it. He asserted that all preparations, including security and logistics, had been completed, with the electorate fully engaged and ready to vote.
Fubara alleged that the police had even attempted to raid the RSIEC headquarters in a bid to seize sensitive election materials.
He expressed shock at the level of involvement by security forces in undermining the democratic process, stating that the police had transformed into adversaries of the state.
The governor posed several critical questions, challenging the actions of the police and questioning why Rivers State was being treated differently from others.
He cited the Supreme Court ruling that ordered local government elections to be conducted by elected officials and noted that President Bola Tinubu had endorsed compliance with the court’s directive across all states.
Despite the challenges, Governor Fubara assured the public that the election would proceed as planned, holding the Inspector General of Police accountable for any security breaches that might arise. He urged all parties involved to ensure a peaceful election and called for unity to maintain law and order.
In a related development, prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has written to the Inspector General of Police, urging him to uphold law and order during the election.