Rivers State CP Directs It’s Officers Not to Participate in Rivers LG Polls

The Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, Tunji Disu, has directed police officers under his command not to participate in or provide security for the scheduled local government elections in Rivers State, which were set to occur on October 5, 2024. This decision comes in compliance with a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) from conducting these local government elections. The court order was issued due to procedural irregularities concerning the electoral process, including the lack of proper notice and the non-compliance with the legal requirement for the revision and update of the voters’ register before setting an election date.

This judicial intervention was prompted by legal actions taken by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, led by Tony Okocha, who challenged the legality of the election processes. The APC’s contention was based on the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere to the Electoral Act regarding the management and release of the voters’ register to RSIEC. Consequently, the court not only restrained INEC from releasing the voters’ register but also barred security agencies like the police from providing security for the elections, effectively halting the electoral process.

Despite these legal hurdles and the police’s non-involvement, there has been some confusion and conflicting statements from various quarters. For instance, posts on X (formerly Twitter) and statements from other sources suggested that preparations for the elections might still proceed or that some form of security arrangement could be in place. However, the directive from the Rivers State CP, in line with the court’s order, stands as a clear instruction for police officers to not engage in any activities related to the local government elections.

This situation highlights the complexities and legal challenges often faced in organizing local government elections in Nigeria, where political parties, court rulings, and security agencies play significant roles in determining the feasibility and legality of electoral processes.