Nigeria Police’s Refusal to Secure Rivers State Local Government Elections Violates Constitutional Duty, NBA Says
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has described as unconstitutional, the decision of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, not to provide security for the Local Government elections scheduled to hold in Rivers State on Saturday.
NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, in a statement that was signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, maintained that police have a statutory responsibility to ensure adequate security in the state, during and after the elections.
It argued that the responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security “is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.”
While condemning any attempt to undermine the scheduled elections in the 22 LGAs in Rivers State by refusal to provide security, NBA, demanded immediate investigation of the allegation that police officers tried to cart away electoral materials in the dead of the night at the Head office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
The statement, a copy of which was made available to Vanguard, read: “The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has noted with deep concerns, the controversies and actions of actors relating to and pertaining the scheduled Local Government elections in Rivers State.
“The NBA has noted with particular interest the statement released by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, which indicates that the Rivers State Police will not provide security during the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
“The NBA has also read the disturbing report that some Policemen were alleged to have attempted to cart away electoral materials in the dead of the night at the Head office of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
“We agree with the statement issued by the Chairmen of NBA Branches as we find it deeply troubling that
the Police would brazenly issue a statement that they would shirk their constitutional responsibility of providing security in Rivers State in purported compliance with an order of court.
“Even if a court has directed the Police not to work with the Electoral Commission on Rivers State, nothing says the Police should not provide security for peace and order of Rivers State.
“The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.
“The Police should at all times provide security for the good people of Nigeria and should in fact be worried if any court order purports to prevent them from discharging this responsibility.