Tension is mounting in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains adamant about proceeding with the local government elections scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday. The governor has accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the entire police force of acting in the interests of an Abuja-based politician aiming to disrupt the electoral process.
Governor Fubara made these allegations during a press conference at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday. He emphasized that the upcoming elections cannot be halted due to the wishes of a single individual. He stated that all necessary preparations for the elections, including security arrangements and voter sensitization, have been finalized.
He expressed disappointment in the police, claiming they have acted as hired agents attempting to undermine the election by invading the headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and trying to seize sensitive materials.
Fubara revealed that he received a security report early Friday morning indicating that the RSIEC office had been invaded by the police. Alarmed by this information, he personally visited the site to ensure the safety of the facility, which belongs to the Rivers State Government. Upon arrival, he was shocked to find heavily armed police officers present, despite having received a signal that the officers guarding the premises had been withdrawn.
This development has heightened concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in Rivers State as the scheduled elections draw near.