Rivers LG Elections: Confusion as Police Disregard Supreme Court Ruling, Obey Lesser Court Judgment
The Rivers State Police Command has announced its decision to withdraw from providing security for the October 5, 2024 local government elections, citing adherence to a recent Federal High Court ruling.
This development has caused confusion and raised concerns, as the police are choosing to follow a lesser court’s judgment, despite a prior Supreme Court ruling that mandated the continuous presence of democratically elected local councils across the nation.
The Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment on July 11, 2024, in suit No. SC/CV/343/2024, affirmed the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government councils and stressed that there must always be democratically elected councils in place in all 36 states. This ruling was widely seen as a victory for local governance and decentralization.
However, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the police and other security agencies from providing security for the upcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
Following this ruling, the Rivers State Police Command, through its spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed their decision to withdraw from the elections, stating that the command was acting in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment.
“The Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence,” the statement read.
The police further warned that they would not tolerate any disturbances during the election period and urged all parties to resolve their grievances through legal channels.
This withdrawal followed protests by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who demanded that the police and Department of State Services (DSS) respect the court order.
The protests added to the growing tension surrounding the elections, with many fearing that the lack of police presence could lead to insecurity and disruptions on election day.
Despite the Federal High Court’s ruling, some political observers argue that the police should adhere to the Supreme Court’s judgment, which is the highest court in the land.
The Supreme Court’s ruling had mandated all 36 states to ensure the existence of democratically elected local councils, a directive that the Rivers State election was intended to fulfill.
The police, however, have stood firm in their decision to withdraw, stating that they will take all necessary measures to enforce the Federal High Court’s order. The command has called for calm and urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement during this period.
As the election approaches, there remains significant uncertainty about how the process will unfold without the presence of security agencies.
The police concluded their statement by reminding stakeholders to maintain peace and abide by the rule of law.
“In light of these developments, the Nigeria Police Force calls on all citizens to remain peaceful and orderly and to cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period,” the statement said.
The situation has left many in Rivers State wondering how the elections will proceed and whether the conflicting court rulings will lead to further legal battles after the polls.
