Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has dared the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to go ahead and order his shooting.
Governor Fubara, who spoke angrily at the premises of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) early Friday morning when he went to confront the Police team that went to seal the facility, accused the IGP of showing more than professional loyalty to ‘one man who says he owns Rivers State,’ a reference to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Fubara explained that he earlier wrote to the IGP submitting where he got the right to hold the election, citing the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed Caretaker Committees to run Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria.
Arguing that the Police were free to withhold providing security as ruled by a Federal High Court but that the court did not say the election should not hold.
“Keep your security, I do not need it. It happened in Anambara State. This election must hold on Saturday. The result will be declared, the winners will be sworn in,” the Governor vowed.
He said he will remain at RSIEC premises and wait to be shot by the IG’s men. “Enough is enough,” he lamented.
His argument is that the Police have enough court verdicts to provide support for the election, but should the IG wish to withdraw as ruled by another, he should not take further action such as sealing the RSIEC or any facility because no court ruled so.
The Nigeria Police however formally announced withdrawal from the election giving the Federal High Court rulings of July 19, 2024 and September 30, 2024, as reason.