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Rivers Crisis: Fubara Storms RSIEC Office Over Police Attempt To Take Over Premises
The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara said he stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1 AM on Friday, to stop the Rivers State Police Command from taking over the premises.
A video showed the governor in the company of his team, entering the premises of the RSIEC, while some men were seen alleging that the policemen were attempting to scale through the gates and strong room of the commission to allegedly cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the state.
Fubara and his team comprising the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, were seen manning the RSIEC office.
Some unspecified number of policemen were also sighted inside two trucks and two Hilux vehicles.
The video also saw Governor Fubara in the company of some lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders storm the facility.
Channels Television could hear voices in the background shouting “Move this thing! Illegal police! Illegal police! Thief! Thief!”
Some men at the scene were also seen physically hitting the vehicles lined up inside the RSIEC office, shouting that they vacate the premises.
In a statement by the Rivers State Police Command on Wednesday, Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election, said the police received a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.
spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election.
In the statement, the police confirmed being in receipt of a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.
The development follows Fubara saying he regretted that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), will not be taking part in the October 5 Local Government Election in the state.
Governor Fubara stated this on Thursday during a meeting with some stakeholders of the party at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.
He said the election has to be held on Saturday to comply with the three months of grace given by the Federal Government to begin the implementation of the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy.
A courtroom drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja as Justice Ekwo openly dismissed the legitimacy of Barrister Pius Sunday Okeoma, who was representing the petitioner in the case involving former Minister of Special Duties, Kabir Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
During a court session, Justice Ekwo declared that Okeoma had no recognised standing in the case, as he had neither filed an appearance nor signed any documents related to the proceedings.
The judge’s remarks followed Okeoma’s previous attempt on 24 March to have the case transferred from its initial court, citing a lack of confidence in the judiciary.
On 28 March, Justice Ekwo firmly addressed Okeoma, stating, “As far as I am concerned, we do not know you in this court, and you have never appeared or filed any case here. This makes it illegal for you to be present.”
The judge subsequently referred the lawyer to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for further action.
The case has drawn significant public attention, particularly from the Arewa Renaissance Group, which has raised concerns about the investigation’s integrity.
The group alleged possible collusion between investigating police officers and the petitioner, questioning the rapid pace at which the case was handled and the apparent lack of a fair hearing.
In a further twist, the father of the petitioner, Hadiza, publicly disowned Okeoma’s involvement, stating that his signature had been used in legal filings without his consent. He has since demanded that the lawyer withdraw from the case.
The Arewa Renaissance Group, through its coordinator, Usman Abba, has urged the Inspector General of Police to take decisive action.
The group has called for the immediate removal of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the gender unit at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, citing poor investigative procedures, conspiracy, and defiance of an earlier directive from the IGP.
The directive had instructed that the case be transferred to the Department of Force Intelligence, a move that was allegedly ignored.
The unfolding controversy continues to generate debate over the handling of high-profile cases and the transparency of Nigeria’s judicial process.
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, clashed with security operatives during a protest in Abuja on Friday.
The demonstration, which took place around Banex Junction in Wuse 2, saw protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine”.
Tensions escalated when some protesters reportedly began throwing stones at security operatives. In response, security personnel fired shots to disperse the crowd. The exact number of casualties remains unclear.
Some videos circulating on social media show the protesters marching through Wuse 2, while eyewitnesses reported chaotic scenes as security operatives moved in to break up the gathering.
Efforts to reach Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) police command, for comment were unsuccessful.
However, a statement by Sidi Munir Sokoto, spokesperson for the IMN, described the security response as “abuse of power”.
He claimed that as many as five protesters may have been killed, though the exact number of casualties and arrests remains unverified.
“This is yet another tragic incident where security forces have abused their power by targeting innocent civilians who were merely exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement reads.
“As at the time of writing this article, we could not confirm the exact number of those killed, injured and arrested, however from the information we reliably obtained from eyewitnesses the figure of those killed is around 5 people or thereabout. Nevertheless, we will update the public in due course.
“We call on relevant authorities to investigate this incident and ensure that the rights of citizens are protected. The freedom to peaceful assembly is an inalienable constitutional right that must not be violated.”
The IMN has held several demonstrations in Nigeria, often met with resistance from security operatives.
The latest protest adds to a series of confrontations between the group and law enforcement agencies.
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Muhammad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has asked Muslims in the country to look out for the new moon of Shawwal 1446 AH on Saturday.
In a statement issued on Friday, Sambo Junaidu, chairman advisory committee on religious affairs, sultanate council, Sokoto, said anyone who sights the new moon should communicate to the appropriate authorities.
“This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Saturday, March 29, corresponding to the 29th day of Ramadan 1446 AH, shall be the day to look for the new crescent of Shawwal 1446 AH,” the statement reads.
“Muslims are encouraged to look for the new moon and report any sightings to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan.”
Junaidu quoted the sultan as praying for Allah’s guidance and blessings upon all the Muslims as they fulfill their religious obligations.
“The sighting of the new moon should be reported through the following numbers for onward communication to the sultan; 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 0803 5965322, 08099945903,” the statement added.
The moon sighting in Shawwal marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid al-Fitr celebration.