Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has slammed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for his recent comments about the Nigeria Police Force’s role in the state’s Local Government elections.
Egbetokun called Fubara’s outburst “unwarranted” and “without material facts”.
Fubara had accused the police of attempting to interfere in the elections by trying to steal election materials during a press conference in Port Harcourt.
He also urged Egbetokun to be mindful of his responsibilities as the head of the police force. However, Egbetokun refuted the claims, stating that the police remained neutral and acted within the law.
“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. The NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court,” Egbetokun’s statement read.
Egbetokun explained that the police were served with a Federal High Court order on July 19, 2024, barring them from participating in the election, declaring the process unlawful.
Later, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order directing the NPF and other federal security agencies to provide security at the elections on September 4, 2024. However, the police were not joined as a party in this suit.
The Federal High Court reaffirmed its earlier ruling on September 30, 2024, nullifying all previous activities related to the elections and instructed the police to refrain from providing security.
Egbetokun stated that the IGP forwarded the court orders to the Force Legal Section for advice and instructed the Rivers State Police Command to adhere to the Federal High Court’s ruling based on legal advice.
A letter was sent to Governor Fubara, advising him to respect the court’s judgment “in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State.”
Egbetokun also addressed the “misinformation” triggered by Fubara’s remarks, describing them as “uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria”.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining neutrality and avoiding media confrontations with Fubara or any political figures, emphasizing that the force’s primary focus remains on its constitutional duties.
