Rivers LG poll: Fubara takes over RSIEC office, dares IGP to shoot him

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says nothing will stop the local government election in the state from holding. 

Early Friday morning, Fubara stormed the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Police operatives had barricaded the facility where electoral materials are kept.

Security operatives who were at the RISEC office departed shortly after Fubara arrived at the building in the company of some lawmakers and government officials.

The Rivers police command had said its officers would not provide security for the election.

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

‘POLICE WANT TO STOP THE ELECTION’

Fubara said the presence of police officers at the RISEC premises was unnecessary.

The governor alleged that Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), is taking orders from Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT). 

“We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police are coming to take over the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC). I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said.

“I have to say this on a very strong note. We have been taking enough nonsense from this institution. Everybody is aware of the court judgment.

“Did the ruling specify anywhere that the election should not be held? It (judgment) said don’t give voter register. What are we doing with it? Police, don’t provide security. Is it the same thing as blocking the election?

“I don’t know what 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 is beginning to go beyond the normal professional relationship.

“Did the judgment of the federal high court say election should be barred? Rather, it tactically said don’t provide (security). We don’t need your security. We will provide our security.

“After all, it happened in Anambra. Go away with your security. But this election must hold. Whatever you want to do, do it. The election will be held, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in.”

Fubara said the only thing that can stop the election from holding is if he is shot.

“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 here. This (RISEC) is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it. Just try it. That part of your history as a very wicked and fraudulent inspector-general will include shooting Fubara,” he said.

“I think I have given you enough respect. Let me tell all Rivers indigenes and everyone residing in Rivers state. The election will hold. Anything that wants to happen, let it happen.”

WIKE AND FUBARA RIFT

Rivers has been embroiled in crisis since the supremacy battle between Fubara and Wike began.

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 the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (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 federal high court.

On October 3, a crowd besieged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, to protest against the planned local government election.

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