The Rivers State Police Command has announced its decision to fully comply with a Federal High Court judgment that prohibits the police from participating in the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024.
This announcement comes just a day after a protest led by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including state party chairman Aaron Chukwuemeka, demanding that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission be held accountable for the conduct of the upcoming election. The protesters marched to the headquarters of both the Department of State Services and the State Police Command in Port Harcourt, urging the agencies to respect the court order and refrain from involvement in the election. Chukwuemeka submitted a petition along with a copy of the judgment to officials of both organizations.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, clarified that while the police will adhere to the court order, they will not remain passive in the face of potential security breaches.
“The Nigeria Police Force seeks to inform all law-abiding citizens and stakeholders in Rivers State about the upcoming local government election, particularly in light of recent court rulings,” the statement read.
Iringe-Koko explained that a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order on July 19, 2024, preventing the police and other security agencies from providing security during the election. This was followed by a subsequent judgment on September 30, 2024, reaffirming the ban on police participation in the electoral process.
“The ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence,” she stated, urging citizens to remain peaceful.
The police emphasized their commitment to maintaining law and order, stating that necessary actions will be taken to uphold the court’s orders. All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been instructed to ensure compliance with the Federal High Court’s ruling.
The police also encouraged all political parties to seek legal recourse if they feel aggrieved by any decisions related to the election process.
“In light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly, and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period,” the statement concluded.
