… Reaffirms Neutrality
The Nigeria Police has debunked the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirmed its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the state and the country in general in response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regard to the actions of the Nigeria Police in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections.
According to a press release on Monday, October 7, 2024, signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police only acted in line with an existing court judgement of the Federal High Court.
The statement read, “Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force 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.
“And thirdly, the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on September 30, 2024, nullifying all previous activities carried out in respect of the LG election and ordering the police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.
According to the Force spokesperson, all these orders and counterorders 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 (SAN).
“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 misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact, was totally uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police. For the avoidance of doubts, the general public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector-General of Police and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly shows him as a man of honour, integrity, and focus before and after his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.
“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 (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police.
“We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world attending 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. 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. Similarly, suffice to say that the local government elections were generally peaceful nationwide, especially in states where the police were in charge of security.
“In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, directed the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State that were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who controlled the local government secretariat between elected chairmen whose tenure expired and a caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government, whose matter was pending in court.
“The unsealing yesterday 06/10/24 after the police received the report that elected chairmen has been sworn in by the state government. The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development of the state and allow the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.
“The IGP, however, condemn the spate of violent confrontations and attacks at some local government secretariats leading to the destruction of government facilities in the state, immediately after the unsealing of the secretariats. He has promptly tasked the state Commissioner of police to rise to the occasion and restore law and order in the state
“The IGP emphasises the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace, unity, and progress across the nation.
