PDP to IGP: You’re duty-bound to provide security for Rivers LG elections

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), to ensure the safe conduct of the local government poll in Rivers.

The Rivers police command had said its officers would not provide security for the conduct of the October 4 poll.

Grace Iringe-Koko, police spokesperson in Rivers, said the command is complying with an order of the federal high court in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the IGP is expected to provide a secure environment for the poll.

“The PDP insists that the right to civil control of democratic activities in Rivers State as a federating unit belongs to the generality of the people of the State and such right, including participation in Local Government Area election cannot be abridged or appropriated by any person, group or organization under any guise whatsoever,” the statement reads.

“The Party maintains that the people of Rivers State are ready for election; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had also announced its readiness, preparedness and possession of necessary operational materials to conduct the election in line with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court and no court under the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) has the power to stop elections.

“The Inspector General of Police should note that he is duty bound under the Constitution to provide the enabling and secure environment for the smooth conduct of the Rivers State Local Government Area election irrespective of where he stands as an individual.

“Duty calls on him to act professionally in the overall interest of our hard-earned democracy and the stability of our nation, Nigeria.”

The PDP said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the IGP should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in Rivers.

BACKGROUND

The PDP in Rivers is protesting against the conduct of the election.

Rivers state has been embroiled in crisis since the supremacy battle between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The local government election is now being viewed in both camps as a referendum on who really controls the grassroots.

The Wike camp is seemingly opposed to the conduct of the election on Saturday.

On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the 2023 voter register to RSIEC.

The court also barred the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from providing security for the exercise.

On October 2, INEC said it had not released the voter register to RSIEC for the conduct of the election, in compliance with the verdict of the court.

On October 3, a crowd besieged the PDP secretariat in Port Harcourt to protest against the planned election.

Despite the chaos, Fubara has vowed to proceed with the poll and declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays.