The Nigerian Bar Association has raised serious concerns about the decision of the Nigeria Police Force not to provide security for the upcoming Local Government elections in Rivers State. This decision was reportedly made in compliance with a court order, as stated by the state police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko.
In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the NBA criticized the police’s stance, emphasizing that their duty to protect lives, property, and the democratic process should not be compromised by any court order. The association condemned the police’s refusal to provide security as a threat to democracy and a potential invitation for lawlessness.
The NBA demanded a thorough investigation into allegations of police officers tampering with electoral materials at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission office. They urged the Inspector General of Police to take swift disciplinary action against any officers found engaging in such misconduct.
Furthermore, the association expressed concerns about conflicting court judgments regarding the Local Government elections, labeling it as “judicial rascality.” They called for judicial coherence to prevent confusion and reiterated their commitment to engaging with stakeholders to resolve these conflicts and uphold the rule of law.
The NBA called on all security agencies to ensure the protection of lives, property, and democratic processes during the elections. They emphasized the importance of law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and security during electoral processes.
Osigwe stressed the need for upholding democracy and the rule of law as top priorities, highlighting the NBA’s commitment to monitoring the situation and advocating for the Nigeria Police Force to fulfill its constitutional duty of safeguarding the public, irrespective of court rulings.