IGP Egbetokun Speaks On Rivers LG Election, Clash With Fubara

Governor Fubara expressed his concerns during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, where he cautioned the Inspector-General to be mindful of his responsibilities as head of the police force.

Fubara alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, alongside the Rivers State Command, attempted to tamper with election materials but were thwarted in their actions.

In response, IGP Egbetokun, through a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, described Fubara’s outburst as “uncalled for” and “unfair” to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to neutrality and non-interference in political matters, emphasizing that the police acted solely in accordance with an existing court judgment.

Egbetokun clarified that the police received an order of injunction from the Federal High Court dated July 19, 2024, which prohibited the police from participating in the local government elections, deeming such involvement unlawful.

The statement read,“In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the NPF in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State local government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the state and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.

“Firstly, the NPF was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on July 19, 2024, barring the police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.

“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on September 4, 2024, directing the NPF and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.”

Egbetokun added that the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgment on September 30, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.

“All these orders and counter orders were served on the police. The IGP, being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework, forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice.

“For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated October 2, 2024, where the IGP advised the governor to also abide by the court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State”,the statement added.

It said the“misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria.”

The statement asked the public to profile the career journey of the IG, and his track record in every place he had served, which it claimed showed him as a man of honour, integrity and focus.

It added,“The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police, worldwide, particularly in Africa where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.

“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Conference and retreat in Owerri, last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.

“It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, his administration or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted.”

Governor Fubara expressed his concerns during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, where he cautioned the Inspector-General to be mindful of his responsibilities as head of the police force.

Fubara alleged that officers of the Nigeria Police Force, alongside the Rivers State Command, attempted to tamper with election materials but were thwarted in their actions.

In response, IGP Egbetokun, through a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, described Fubara’s outburst as “uncalled for” and “unfair” to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to neutrality and non-interference in political matters, emphasizing that the police acted solely in accordance with an existing court judgment.

Egbetokun clarified that the police received an order of injunction from the Federal High Court dated July 19, 2024, which prohibited the police from participating in the local government elections, deeming such involvement unlawful.

The statement read,“In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the NPF in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State local government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the state and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.

“Firstly, the NPF was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on July 19, 2024, barring the police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.

“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on September 4, 2024, directing the NPF and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.”

Egbetokun added that the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgment on September 30, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.

“All these orders and counter orders were served on the police. The IGP, being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework, forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice.

“For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated October 2, 2024, where the IGP advised the governor to also abide by the court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State”,the statement added.

It said the“misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria.”

The statement asked the public to profile the career journey of the IG, and his track record in every place he had served, which it claimed showed him as a man of honour, integrity and focus.

It added,“The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police, worldwide, particularly in Africa where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.

“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Conference and retreat in Owerri, last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.

“It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, his administration or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted.”