Following a directive from President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered withdrawal of police officers from the 23 local government council secretariats in Rivers.
Residents of Rivers state said this was an affirmation of the victory of Governor Siminalayi Fubara whose political faithful won in all the 23 LGAs during the just-held council elections.
Fubara’s men contested under the umbrella of Action Peoples Party (APP) and overwhelmingly cleared the polls leaving supporters of Nyesom Wike out in the cold.
However, Fubara victory may not have gone down well with some politicians in the state who orchestrated the burning of Ikwere Local Government Headquarters and other facilities in the state.
Recall that the council offices were sealed in June following a dispute over the appointment of Caretaker Committee Chairmen by Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.
Tensions escalated when Fubara opposed an ‘illegal’ tenure extension granted to the former council chairmen by a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule.
Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson of the Police Command in Rivers, announced the withdrawal of police personnel in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
“The IGP’s withdrawal of all personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the council secretariats was conveyed by the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Bala Mustapha,” Iringe-Koko said.
She further explained that the decision reflects the police’s commitment to neutrality and supporting the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“However, police operatives will be redeployed to these locations in the event of any crises or breakdown of law and order,” she added.
Koko-Iringe urged residents and politicians to remain calm and law-abiding.
But some residents in the state blamed the IGP Kayode Egbetokun for showing obvious bias, accusing him of siding with Wike to the disadvantage of a sitting governor.
