Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed his frustration over multiple attempts to derail the October 5 Local Government elections in the state, reaffirming that the polls will proceed as planned.
His remarks followed an incident early Friday morning, when individuals disguised as police officers tried to seize the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, office.
Reports indicate that the assailants attempted to breach the gates and strong room of the RSIEC office in Port Harcourt with the intent of stealing sensitive electoral materials intended for the election. Governor Fubara, addressing the media outside the RSIEC office, condemned the incident and questioned the involvement of security agencies in obstructing the election process.
“We came here this morning when we heard that, according to what they called themselves – Nigeria Police, are coming to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. And I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said.
The governor disclosed that the incident involved a Deputy Commissioner of Operations, who allegedly ordered the withdrawal of officers guarding the electoral office. He expressed frustration over what he described as repeated interference from security agencies, noting that there is no legal basis for halting the elections.
READ ALSO : Rivers LG poll: Security operatives foil attempt to steal election materials
“Everybody is aware of the court judgment, and even the judgment as they call it, the ruling — did the ruling specify anywhere that election should not hold? It said, don’t give voters register. What are we doing with it? Okay, the police, don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as burking the election? “, he asserted.
Governor Fubara specifically criticized the Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, which he claimed was being misinterpreted to obstruct the election. He vowed that the elections would go ahead, declaring that results would be announced and those elected would be sworn into office.
“When it comes to the issue of Rivers State, it becomes different. You are not ashamed of yourself. You call yourself the Inspector-General of Police. Enough is enough! If I go back and hear anybody, I will come here. This is my property, and you don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. I think I have given enough respect.
“Election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen. We are ready. We know that this one is going to be the last fight, and we will take it to the end,” Fubara emphasized, adding that the government would ensure its security measures were in place.
He assured Rivers State residents that the election would proceed as scheduled, despite any efforts to prevent it, and urged them to remain steadfast as the government navigates what he described as the “final fight.”
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