Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has issued a stern warning to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, cautioning him against making baseless allegations and threats of violence regarding the upcoming local government elections.
OsunDailyNG reports that this comes after Governor Fubara publicly stated that he would hold IGP Egbetokun accountable if there were any breakdown of law and order in Rivers State.
The governor’s comments followed his intervention at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, where he allegedly stopped police officers from removing election materials ahead of the scheduled local government polls.
The incident occurred amidst rising political tension surrounding the scheduled local government elections in the state. Governor Fubara’s intervention has drawn attention, with concerns over potential unrest.
Reacting to the situation, IGP Egbetokun, through a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, expressed surprise at the governor’s actions.
The statement urged caution in the pursuit of political objectives and condemned the governor’s threats, stating, “The Nigeria Police takes exception to the unwarranted outburst of the Governor and particularly the weighty accusations which he falsely levied against the Inspector-General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Force and advise caution and decency in the pursuit of individual political goals.
“Threatening to shed blood and to burn down the State because of a Local Government election is not acceptable to us.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to the protection of lives and properties and will work with other security agencies in Rivers State to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the State.
“To this end, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered increased deployment into Rivers State to beef up security throughout the state. Citizens of Rivers State are advised to go about their lawful businesses.”
