By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel stationed at the secretariats of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.
This move is said to have elicited excitement amongst residents of Rivers State who said they want peace to reign in the oil-rich State.
The IGP order is happening two days after the conduct of local government elections in the state. The decision marks a decisive end to a months-long security presence at the secteriat facilities in Rivers State.
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Bala Mustapha also directed the immediate unsealing of the 23 local government secretariats across the state.
This decision is contained in statement released on Monday by the Police Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko.
The statement noted that the move is in strict compliance with the order from the police headquarters through the office of the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the statement, the latest decision demonstrates the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to political neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
The statement reads in part: “In light of recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, conveys the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously stationed to secure the Local Government Secretariats. This decision reaffirms the Nigeria Police Force’s stance on neutrality and its dedication to ensuring the uninterrupted operation of democratic institutions.”
It further clarified that police personnel will only be redeployed if a crisis or threat to public order emerges. “Emergency measures will be swiftly implemented in the event of any breakdown of law and order,” the command assured.
The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and urged residents and political stakeholders to remain calm and law-abiding.
Rivers State has been under pervasive tense atmosphere for months following the supremacy battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The rift between the duo came to a head following the announcement of plans by the state governor to conduct elections into the 23 local government in the state.
The elections were slated for October 5 by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
The rift between the two politicians fragmented the Peoples Democratic Party into two camps.
The Wike faction and the Fubara camp. After the party primaries, candidates belonging to pro-Fubara faction were roundly defeated and they defected to All Peoples Party(APP).
Following this development, the Wike Faction canvassed against the conduct of the elections while the pro-Fubara camp insisted the elections must be held.
This led to legal tussles with contrasting verdicts delivered in favour of each party.
A day to the election, men dressed in police uniform allegedly attempted to gain forceful entry into the premises of the state’s electoral commission purportedly to cart away electoral materials.
The plan was botched.
Meanwhile in the aftermath of the botched plan, Governor Fubara alleged that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was working in concert with Wike to scuttle the elections.
The Nigeria Police Force while defending its position said its decision not to participate in the elections was in compliance with a court order delivered on September 30.
The elections eventually took place in all the Local government in the state with Fubara-backed APP winning 22 out of the 23 chairmanship seats in the state with the remaining seat won by the AAC.
It is worth noting that the secretariats had been sealed since July, following tensions relating to the controversial tenure extension of the previous chairmen.
During that period, the facilities were being protected by police personnel to maintain order amidst the political crisis.
