Fubara Obeys Supreme Court Ruling To Conduct LG Elections Within 90 Days, Foils Attempt To Steal Election Materials In Rivers State
The Oasis Reporters
October 5, 2024
Local government elections appear set to be held today October 5, 2024 in Rivers State as an aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling that such should be held within 90 days after the momentous ruling to grant them autonomy.
Yet in the state, there were clandestine attempts to scuttle the process when some alleged policemen were seen seemingly trying to break into the offices of the Rivers State electoral body.
A report by Punch newspapers says that “Security operatives led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the wee hours of today, Friday, September 4, 2024, foiled an attempt by men dressed in police uniform to take over the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
The incident reportedly occurred around 1:00 a.m”.
The governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara has already given a Press conference condemning the actions of the police who now say that they would not participate in the security duties during the elections.
Watch:
Punch newspapers further reports that “It was gathered that the miscreants attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the commission to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the state.
A source who witnessed the incident but was not authorised to speak on the matter said, “The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the development.”
The source said the governor led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to the scene.
Speaking to newsmen in front of the RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara condemned the incident and commended the security men for their alertness.
Another Government House source said, “The governor said local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised those trying to truncate the process and cause anarchy in the state to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”
Meanwhile, our correspondent gathered that some government officials, stakeholders, and supporters are presently keeping vigil at the facility.
Efforts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, proved abortive as her mobile was not connecting.
She had yet to reply to a text message sent to our reporter as of the time of filing this report on Friday morning.
Fubara wrote on X, formerly called Twitter :
“This morning, l addressed a press conference alerting the world on the conspiratorial plot by some officers & men of the @PoliceNG from both the State command & the Force HQ, Abuja who are in cahoots with forces aligned against our State to create a state of anarchy
This was sequel to the unwholesome invasion of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office at the early hours of today, Friday, October 4, 2024.
The reason for their invasion was to break into the RSIEC offices and cart away sensitive election materials with the intention of truncating the LGA elections scheduled for tomorrow Saturday, October 5, 2024
This was sequel to the unwholesome invasion of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office at the early hours of today, Friday, October 4, 2024.
The World press conference afforded us the opportunity of reassuring our people that the election will hold despite the withdrawal of @PoliceNG with the excuse of being in possession of a federal High Court judgment barring its officers from participating in election duties.
However, the courage and boldness of Rivers people who joined us to resist the dastardly act, saved the situation.
We strongly believe that other security agencies are participating and will provide the necessary security coverage for the voters.
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