Gifted Markson
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has successfully foiled an attempt by rogue elements of the Nigerian Police Force, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to seize the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters. The incident occurred at around 1 AM on Friday, 4th October 2024, just a day before the state’s local government elections.
Eyewitnesses reported that the rogue policemen attempted to scale the gates and breach the strong room of the RSIEC office, allegedly intending to steal sensitive electoral materials vital for the upcoming elections. However, vigilant security personnel on duty quickly raised the alarm and alerted key officers of the Commission and relevant authorities, leading to a swift response that foiled the plot.
Upon receiving the news, Governor Fubara immediately mobilized a team of senior government officials, lawmakers from both the National Assembly and the Rivers State House of Assembly, prominent political stakeholders, and other key leaders. Together, they stormed the RSIEC facility, preventing the attempted takeover from succeeding.
In a strongly-worded address at the scene, Governor Fubara expressed his outrage:
“They said DC Operation brought them here to withdraw the policemen that are already here protecting this place so that new officers will take over the place, but I have to say this on a very strong note; we’ve taken enough nonsense from this institution, everybody is aware of the court judgment and even the judgment as they call it, did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not hold? It said don’t give voters register, what are we doing with it? Okay police don’t provide security, is it the same thing as blocking the election? I don’t know 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’s beginning to go beyond a professional relationship.
“The government wrote a letter to him, and what he is acting on is the judgment he got from the federal high court. Even if we should go by that, did the judgment say elections should be barred?
“Lifu, that justice that gave that fraudulent judgment, did he say no election? Rather he tactically said don’t provide, don’t provide. We don’t need your security, we will provide our own security after all, it happened in Anambra.
“Go away with your security, but this election must be held. If you like, whatever you want to do, do it. Elections will be held, people will be sworn in! I say it here.
“What kind of a country is this? And when it comes 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 there, in fact, if I go back and I hear anybody… I will come. This is my property, and you don’t have any right whatsoever to bar me from entering. Just try it, then part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent Inspector General of Police will include shooting Fubara. I think I’ve given you enough respect.
“Well let me say this to all Rivers indegene, everyone residing in Rivers State, Election will hold.
“Election will hold, anything that wants to happen let it happen. So everybody just relax, nothing is happening. We know that this is going to be the last fight and we’ll take it to the end. Thank you,” Fubara said.
As of now, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, members of both the state and National Assemblies, and other top stakeholders are stationed at the RSIEC office.
Their presence ensures that the officers, who arrived in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles, do not return, and that the integrity of the electoral process is maintained. The local government elections will proceed as scheduled on Saturday.