By Mark Lenu
The youths of Rivers State are ready to provide security for the local government election in the state, held on Saturday, October 5 across the 23 LGAs
The decision of the youths followed a statement issued by the spokesperson for the state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko that the police would not participate in the election.
The state police command said its decision not to participate in the election is in compliance with the federal high court ruling, barring the police and other security agencies from taking part in the election.
Justice Peter Lifu who delivered the ruling also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release the voter’s register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Speaking with our correspondent, some youth leaders in the various LGAs of the state said they will police the election, adding that whether conventional security agencies participate in the election or not, the election will be violence-free.
“We are not disturbed over the nonparticipation of the police in this election. We are here and fully ready to ensure that the election is peaceful,” the youth leaders said
The election week had witnessed a series of unrest resulting from court rulings, to protests; all attempting to mar the election date but Governor Siminalayi Fubara had insisted that the election must be held as scheduled.
There was a police invasion of RSIEC headquarters in Port Harcourt around 2:AM on Friday which prompted the quick intervention of the governor.
While the Fubara-led state government said the police attempted to invade the RSIEC office in order to cart away sensitive election materials, the state police command refuted the claim, saying that the police went to prevent planned attacks on RSIEC headquarters.
The state police command said it received credible intelligence that hoodlums had planned to attack the RSIEC building, hence the police stormed the building to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.
While speaking with newsmen at the RSIEC headquarters, Fubara warned the police hierarchy led by the Inspector General of Police to stop doing the bidding of the FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike at the detriment of the state.
