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:

Governor Fubara addresses the press after kicking the police officers who took over RSIEC office out. pic.twitter.com/wODWqIx1sm

— Ledogo Raymond (@ledogo) October 4, 2024

See the police that came to destroy RESIEC by 1:am this morning at Rivers state@PoliceNG @RiversPoliceNG I hope you are ready to K!ll all Rivers people because Election Must hold… So Tell FCT minister to come in person or you Blow the trumpet for Rapture pic.twitter.com/fF1Dnig38Z

— Budu_Oluwa_Berry (Sim_Fubara 1st Son) (@KingBuduberry) October 4, 2024

“You are not ashamed of yourself. Your relationship with one man like that who claims to have power over the state has gone beyond professional relationship” – Governor Fubara blasts the IG of @PoliceNG pic.twitter.com/eaRJkOk1Vr

— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) October 4, 2024

Wike have finally given Fubara the leverage to officially use OSPAC and Amama soldiers own by Asari Dokubo to provide security for the LGA election since the police had withdrawn from securing lives during the election..

federal might would not work in Rivers State, never pic.twitter.com/xsbOldz0M0

— Amayanabo of PH (@RSokiepirim) October 4, 2024

BREAKING!!!! FUBARA FUMES, DROPPED A BOMBSHELL AND DARED IGP, HE MAINTAINED THAT ELECTION WILL HOLD IN RIVERS TOMORROW AND NOBODY CAN STOP HIM. At this juncture, they av reactivated the beast in this man, he will do all humanly possible to defend his territory. Tomorrow is here. pic.twitter.com/CbZy2mAgHI

— BUCOS (@TENIBEGILOJU202) October 4, 2024

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.