Showdown Looms As Gov Fubara Insists On Holding Rivers’ LG Poll, Accuses IGP Of Bias

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has strongly condemned Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the police’s stance on the state’s local government elections.

Fubara accused the police of misinterpreting a court order to withdraw security for the elections, suggesting external influence, possibly from his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The governor who expressed his frustration, said, “The Inspector General of police should be ashamed of himself” after visiting the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office on Friday.

He emphasized that no court order explicitly barred the elections and declared, “We do not need your security; it happened in Anambra, enough is enough.”

The governor is determined to proceed with the elections, despite police opposition, and has vowed to comply with a Supreme Court mandate requiring states to hold local government elections within three months.

“This is the last fight, and we will fight it to the end,” he declared, further stating that he was willing to face any consequence, even violence, from the police.

The political crisis in the state snowballed after a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to the RSIEC.

But a High Court in the state ruled that the local government elections, scheduled for October 5, should proceed, citing a Supreme Court mandate that all states must hold local government elections within three months.

Following this, Fubara vowed to comply with the mandate, declaring public holidays on Thursday and Friday to facilitate the elections.

“Any failure on our part to conduct the local government election would be a clear disobedience of the Supreme Court’s mandatory order,” he said, warning of the financial consequences the state could face if the elections were not held.

Pundits say tensions is currently brewing in the state, as there may be likely clash between River state government forces and police force, on Saturday.