The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has rebuffed comments from Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, regarding the Nigeria Police Force’s conduct during the recent local government elections, labeling them “unwarranted” and lacking factual support.
At a press conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Fubara voiced his concerns and urged the Inspector-General to be mindful of his duties as the police chief. He claimed that officers from the Nigeria Police Force, alongside the Rivers State Command, tried to tamper with election materials but were stopped.
In a response issued on Monday through the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, IGP Egbetokun characterized Fubara’s remarks as “uncalled for” and “unfair” to Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to neutrality and stated that their actions were in accordance with an existing court ruling.
Egbetokun explained that the police had received a Federal High Court injunction dated July 19, 2024, which prohibited their participation in the local government elections, categorizing such involvement as 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 noted that the Federal High Court which issued the initial injunction later ruled on September 30, 2024, nullifying prior actions related to the local government election and ordered the police to refrain from providing security.
“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....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
“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 continued.
The statement emphasized that 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.”
It encouraged the public to consider the career path of the IGP, highlighting his reputation for honor, integrity, and focus.
The statement further noted, “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.”
