Rivers LG poll: Fubara takes over RSIEC office, dares IGP to shoot him | The Round Table Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, discloses nothing will stop the local government election from declaring in the state.
Early Friday morning, Fubara stormed the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
Police operatives had barricaded the facility where electoral materials are kept.
Security operatives who were at the RISEC office departed shortly after Fubara get at the building in the company of some lawmakers and government officials.
The Rivers police command had said its officers would not provide security for the conduct of the LG election in the state.
Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, revealed the command is observing with an impose of the federal high court in Abuja.
‘POLICE WANT TO STOP THE ELECTION’
Fubara revealed the presence of police officers at the RISEC premises was unnecessary.
The governor alleged that Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), is taking orders from Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).
“We arrived here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police are getting to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC). I had to get myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said.
“I have to reveal this on a very strong note. We have been taking enough nonsense from this institution. Everybody is aware of the court judgement. Did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not be held? It (judgement) revealed don’t give voter register. What are we doing with it? Police, don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as blocking the election?
“I don’t know what the relationship between the inspector-general of police and one person who claims he has so much power in this state. I don’t know the relationship because it is beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship.
“Did the judgment of the federal high court reveal election should be barred? Rather, it tactically revealed don’t provide (security). We don’t want your security. We will provide our security.
“After all, it happened in Anambra. Go away with your security. But this election must hold. Whatever you require to do, do it. The election will be held, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in.”
Fubara revealed the only thing that can stop the election from announcing is if he is shot.
“When it gets to the issue of Rivers state, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself. You call yourself inspector-general of police. Enough is enough. I will be here. This (RISEC) is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. That part of your history as a very immoral and fraudulent inspector-general will contain shooting Fubara,” he said.
“I guess I have given you enough respect. Let me announce to all Rivers indigenes and everyone residing in Rivers state. The election will hold. Anything that calls for to happen, let it happen.”
WIKE AND FUBARA RIFT
Rivers has been gripped by tension since the supremacy battle between Fubara and Wike.
The local government election is now being viewed in both camps as a referendum on who really controls the grassroots.
The Wike camp is seemingly opposed to the conduct of the election on Saturday.
On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The court also barred the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.
On October 2, INEC stated it had not released the voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election, in compliance with the verdict of the federal high court.
On October 3, a crowd besieged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, to censure against the planned local government election.
Despite the chaos, Fubara has vowed to proceed with the election and has announced Thursday and Friday as public holidays.
Watch the video of Fubara's utterances at the RSIEC office.
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Tag: Rivers LG poll Fubara takes over RSIEC office dares IGP to shoot him The Round Table
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Published 10/4/2024