The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on Monday directed the immediate unsealing of secretariats across all 23 local government areas in Rivers state his men had been occupying for months.
The development may be connected to inglorious position and nationwide outrage over his involvement in the recently concluded local government elections in the State.
A statement issued on Monday by the Rivers State Command which was signed by the Command’s spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko, conveyed the directive.
According to the statement, the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, was tasked with ensuring the withdrawal of all police personnel who were initially deployed to seal and safeguard the LGA secretariats.
“This decision aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and ensuring the smooth operation of democratic institutions,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The statement clarified that police would only be redeployed to these locations in the event of a crisis or breakdown of law and order. “Emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy if necessary,” the statement added.
The Rivers State Police Command reassured the public of its commitment to maintaining peace and order and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation evolves.
The newly sworn-in 23 council chairmen are expected to resume work in their respective LGAs today, where they will also swear in the newly elected councillors.
It should recall that the political tension had erupted after the purported extension of tenure for former council chairmen loyal to FCT Minister and immediate past governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The move was countered by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s appointment of caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen. The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, immediately took side with the Minister undermining the powers of the sitting governor and ordered the sealing of the 23 LGAs’ secretariats.
This action prevented local government workers and the CTC chairmen from accessing the council secretariats and carrying out their daily duties.
The development came to climax on Friday when the police tried to stop the just concluded Council elections which held on Saturday, citing a Federal High Court judgement that contravened the earlier judgement of the Rivers State High Court that directed that the elections should be held in compliance to the Supreme Court July judgement.
