NewStats: 3,265,181 , 8,185,924 topics. Date: Friday, 13 June 2025 at 06:55 PM 2u5n3x

NBA reacts to police’s decision not to provide security for Rivers LGA election

NBA says a court can't stop police from carrying out its constitutional duty of providing
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concerns regarding the security arrangements for the Rivers State loocal government elections scheduled for Saturday, 5 October.

This concerns arose from a controversial announcement made by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, that the police would refrain from providing security during the elections, citing compliance with a Federal High Court order.

TIMES reported how the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the of voters for Rivers State to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) ahead of the local government elections scheduled for 5 October.

In the judgement delivered on Monday, the judge, Peter Lifu, also barred the Inspector General of Police and the State Security Service (SSS) from providing security for the controversial elections.

The judgement was in a suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which challenged the legitimacy of the election process.

In a statement released on Friday, NBA President Afam Osigwe described as a “brazen” decision, the police’s refusal to fulfil their constitutional mandate to maintain peace and security..”

Mr Osigwe noted the troubling reports that police officers had allegedly attempted to seize electoral materials from the headquarters of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at night.

The branch chairpersons of the NBA in Rivers State had earlier maintained that the police had a non-negotiable duty to ensure public safety.

Echoing a similar view, Mr Osigwe said, “The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security in Rivers State is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.”

He noted the troubling implications of a law enforcement agency declining to protect citizens during a crucial electoral process.

Legal and democratic concerns
The association said the police’s refusal to provide security as not only unconstitutional but also as a serious threat to democratic rights.

Mr Osigwe argued that such an abdication of responsibility could create an environment conducive to lawlessness, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

He warned, “The refusal to provide security is not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral, and a dangerous signal that invites lawlessness and undermines democracy.”

The NBA has called on all security agencies to rise to the challenge of safeguarding lives, property, and the democratic process during this critical period.

He urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to launch an immediate investigation into reports of police attempts to tamper with electoral materials and to ensure that any officers found culpable are held able.

Governor Fubara’s standoff with police
Tensions have further escalated with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s public confrontation with the police’s decision to withhold security for the elections.

TIMES had reported that Governor Fubara declared that the citizens of Rivers State would take it upon themselves to protect their voting rights.

He staid, “We’ve been taking enough nonsense from this institution,” referring to the police.

He criticised the conflicting court orders issued by both the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja, which have created uncertainty regarding the elections.

He suggested that the police’s actions might be influenced by political motives, particularly the influence of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, over law enforcement.

Governor Fubara questioned the rationale behind the police’s refusal to provide security, asserting, “Okay, police don’t provide security, is it the same thing as blocking the election?”

The local government elections in Rivers State have been enmeshed in acrimony, an episode of the escalating feud between Governor Fubara and Mr Wike.

Governor Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to holding the election as scheduled, emphasising the importance of upholding the rule of law and democratic governance in light of the State High Court’s order.

In contrast, both the All Progressive Congress and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have organised a t protest against the election, citing concerns related to the Federal High Court order.

https://www.timesng.com/news/headlines/742054-nba-reacts-to-polices-decision-not-to-provide-security-for-rivers-lga-election.html

NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

Fubara and Wike today....

The judiciary has always been the problem of Nigeria, why the judiciary will grant such an order is beyond imagination

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

Go rest abeg, don't they have constitutional duties, is the useless Court order more superior to the constitution

Oghene86:


Go rest abeg, don't they have constitutional duties, is the useless Court order more superior to the constitution

So the court is now useless?

Some of you just don't know nada about how things work

Court order is court order. Police must obey. Meanwhile the court did not say don't maintain law and order.


The police must prevent any act capable of bringing about any breakdown of law and order including the illegal election.

The judge didn't read the constitutional duties of the police before issuing such injunction, asking the police not to perform its mandatory roles no matter the political fight is tantamount to judicial rascality

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

Can the Courts order doctors not to save life?

Let us be careful what we foolishly today,
It might hurt or destroy us tomorrow.

ddippset:
Can the Courts order doctors not to save life?

Let us be careful what we foolishly today,
It might hurt or destroy us tomorrow.

This your arguments no dey make sense at all

Kewtt:
Court order is court order. Police must obey. Meanwhile the court did not say don't maintain law and order.


The police must prevent any act capable of bringing about any breakdown of law and order including the illegal election.

The Courts did not tell the police to stop the election,,
The courts said "do not take part in the election"

So which judgement authorized the police to stop the election as you have stipulated?

helinues:


This your arguments no dey make sense at all

Talk the one wey make sense make we see ..


You wey dey quarrel with sense since dem born you.

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

which court order?
1 Sokoto State conducted local government election using 2023 s
2. Kwara state conducted local government election using the same 2023 s.
3. Anambra State conducted local government election using the same 2023 s
4. Enugu State conducted local government election using the same 2023 s.
Why is River State is different?

ddippset:
Talk the one wey make sense make we see ..


You wey dey quarrel with sense since dem born you.

If court barred security operatives from being part of the election, that's a sign that the election is already skewed

Seefinish:
which court order?
1 Sokoto State conducted local government election using 2023 s
2. Kwara state conducted local government election using the same 2023 s.
3. Anambra State conducted local government election using the same 2023 s
4. Enugu State conducted local government election using the same 2023 s.
Why is River State is different?

Was there any court orders stopping the listed above LG elections?

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

You are talking rubbish, no court can stop any government establishment not to carry out it lawful duty...

IamANigerianMan:

You are talking rubbish, no court can stop any government establishment not to carry out it lawful duty...

Here we go with half baked knowledge about how things work

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

Is the court order the above the constitution of Nigeria?

Sometimes you have to talk with your brain. You shouldn't defend everything please

helinues:


Here we go with half baked knowledge about how things work

can any court order stop Tinubu from performing the functions of the president?

These part of the constitution are sacrosanct. Until there's a constitutional review that bars police from providing security for lives and properties, this is absolutely nonsense

michlins:
can any court order stop Tinubu from performing the functions of the president?

These part of the constitution are sacrosanct. Until there's a constitutional review that bars police from providing security for lives and properties, this is absolutely nonsense

I don't have time to be wasting with you as you don't know much about how court orders work

helinues:


So the court is now useless?

Some of you just don't know nada about how things work

the type of court order during June 12? This is why I laugh when the likes of Tinubu criticize IBB.

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

so court is superior to the constitution that created the court? Please next time, just waka

helinues:


This your arguments no dey make sense at all

The way you reason sometimes makes me wonder if you actually have any brain...

Anyway, you cannot APC with so much vigour if you were actually sensible..!

Saao:
so court is superior to the constitution that created the court? Please next time, just waka

There shouldn't have been presidential election petition after the election if we are to go by your arguments

Wondering why you guys at the other sides always like to argue blindly

helinues:


I don't have time to be wasting with you as you don't know much about how court orders work

superior knowledge will always dwarf prejudice.

Same police claiming court order still went ahead to protect the electoral materials. How much are you being paid to defend stupidity that if you genuinely work hard, you can not make ?

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

I think you are the one talking NON SENSE. Is court order higher than the constitutional order. Police duty is constitutional.

Just like court can't remove my freedom of worship.

helinues:


If court barred security operatives from being part of the election, that's a sign that the election is already skewed

No wahala..

Then after the election go to court and challenge the "skewed" election and stop constituting nuisance and behaving like barbarians.

helinues:
NBA are talking nonsense

Are police above court orders?

A car hit someone in the neighborhood yesterday. The person happens to be someone that is owing me money. I had to rush to court to get an ex parte order that no hospital should treat him until he pays me the money he is owing me. Shebi you can see how stupid you are

Ok na

If the police force don't provide security in this election, then a war is likely inevitable.

Most Nigerians aren't capable of doing things in accordance to the laws provided to guide them.

Ozigizaga.

helinues:


So the court is now useless?

Some of you just don't know nada about how things work

Men STFU

They are only warning up for what is to be expected in 2027..

Na Police go dey carry Ballot Box that time.. no be thugs again🤔🤔

Anything to compensate the Boss who gave them tenure extension.. Nigeria is a joke not a country.