Amidst the political crisis that have engulfed the Rivers State following the appointment of Caretaker Committee by the State Governor, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Thursday, said the police would remain at the Rivers State Local Government secretariats.
The IGP stated that his men will man the secretariats until court rules on the Local Government Chairmen tenure extension crisis in the State.
Recall that a crisis occurred on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, over the tenure of Local Government Council Chairmen.
Reports had it that a police officer and a vigilante member were killed as a result.
The three-year terms of the 23 LG chairmen ended on Monday, June 17. But the LG Chairmen insisted on not leaving office. They lied on the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
According to law passed by the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital, Nyesom Wike, the LG Chairmen are to remain in office for six more months. This is due to the failure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to hold Local Government elections.
But on Wednesday, the Rivers State Governor, Fubara swore in 23 Caretaker Committee Chairmen. They are to take over the affairs of the Councils pending the conduct of LG elections.
But the insistence of the 23 LG Chairman precipitated protests by some youths in the State.
However, in the midst of the confusion of the scenario, the police stepped in and sealed the 23 LG Councils. The Fubara Caretaker Chairmen who had been sworn in, were refused access to their offices across the LGAs.
The order to bar the Caretaker Committee Chairmen was announced by the Rivers State Police Command on Tuesday. It urged its men to take control of all the LG Council headquarters. So, as to prevent further bloodshed and maintain law and order.
Reiterating the ban, the IGP in Abuja stated that the barricades would remain. He said the police will remain until the court reached a decision on the matter.
Speaking during a meeting with commanders in Abuja, the IG stated that the measure was to prevent further loss of lives.
He said, “You are all aware that in what happened two, three days ago, we lost a police inspector. We are sad about that. And we don’t want to lose more men.
“We don’t want to lose more Nigerians. We don’t want to lose more citizens of Rivers State. So, we have a duty to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
“And that’s why we have our men taking over the secretariats. While we await the outcome of the case in court. As soon as the court makes its pronouncement, we will remove the barricade,” the IGP said.
source: PUNCH
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U