Fubara Slams IGP Over Police Takeover Attempt At RSIEC Office Ahead Of Rivers LG Election

Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara reportedly foiled attempts by the police to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office ahead of the local government elections on Saturday.

In a viral video, the armed officers were seen being jeered and called names as they were forced to leave the premises.

It was gathered that the police officers had arrived in trucks and patrol vans, but the crowd compelled them to turn back.

Governor Sim Fubara, along with state officials and members of the House of Assembly, soon arrived at the RSIEC facility.

The police deployment was reportedly ordered by Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

However, security officials at the facility alerted commission leaders, who then informed the governor.

Governor Fubara led a group of government officials, lawmakers, and political leaders to the scene, where he condemned IGP Egbetokun’s actions as “unprofessional.”

He argued that, despite a court ruling that restricted police involvement, it did not explicitly block the election from happening.

“We don’t need your security. We’ll provide our own,” Fubara said while slamming the IGP Egbetokun for working against him with predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of FCT.

A statement from the governor’s office explained that around 1 a.m. on Friday, officers led by a Deputy Commissioner of Police tried to take control of RSIEC, even attempting to breach the facility to seize election materials.

The statement criticized IGP Egbetokun for his actions and his ties to certain Abuja politicians, asserting that local government elections are an internal matter for the state.

Fubara emphasized that his administration would not tolerate interference, reminding the IGP that local elections fall within state jurisdiction.

He also confirmed that officials from both the State and National Assemblies were on-site to ensure that the police did not return and that the elections would proceed as planned.

Watch the video below:

KanyiDaily recalls that PDP members loyal to Nyesom Wike and a faction of the APC led by Tony Okocha had announced their withdrawal from the Rivers LG election, citing irregularities in the process managed by RSIEC.