By Mark Lenu
During the wee hours of Friday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State stormed the headquarters of the state Independent Electoral Commission in Port Harcourt to stop the police from sealing off the building.
Addressing newsmen at the RSIEC headquarters, the governor said he got information that the Inspector General of Police had instructed a team of policemen led by the state command’s DC operation to withdraw the policemen that are securing the building and seal it off.
“Enough is enough,” the governor warned the police IG, adding that he had respected him enough. Fubara also insisted that the local government election must be held this Saturday, October 5.
“Did the Federal High Court presided by Justice Peter Lifu say the election should not be held? NO! The ruling of the federal high court only says INEC should not give RSIEC the voter’s register meant for Rivers State and the police should not provide security for the election.
“Why would the police IG make a move to stop the election in order to please the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike? This election must hold as scheduled and what would happen should happen,” Fubara said.
You recall that the governor had made a statewide broadcast announcing the two days (Thursday and Friday) to the election date as public holidays to enable the residents of the state to travel to their respective LGAs and vote.
He also announced the restriction of human and vehicular movements from 12 midnight Friday to 5 PM Saturday election day, enjoining the people of the state to come out and vote.
