Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the immediate unsealing of all local government secretariats across the 23 local government areas in Rivers State. This directive was communicated in a statement released on Monday by the Rivers State Police Command and signed by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko.
The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, CP Bala Mustapha, has been tasked with overseeing the withdrawal of all police personnel who had been stationed at the secretariats to seal and safeguard them. According to the statement, this decision aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and ensuring the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to neutrality and the smooth operation of democratic institutions,” the statement read. It also clarified that police officers would only return to the secretariats in the event of a crisis or breakdown of law and order. “Emergency measures will be swiftly implemented to restore normalcy if necessary,” the statement added.
The Rivers State Police Command reassured the public of its dedication to peace and order, urging residents to remain calm and law-abiding as the situation continues to develop.
The decision comes just as the newly sworn-in 23 council chairmen are set to resume work in their respective LGAs, where they will oversee the swearing-in of newly elected councillors. The unsealing of the secretariats will allow local government operations to return to normal after a period of disruption.
The closures were linked to rising political tensions following the disputed extension of tenure for former council chairmen loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Governor Siminalayi Fubara had appointed caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen, sparking a political standoff that resulted in the police sealing the secretariats to prevent workers and CTC chairmen from accessing them.
The situation reached a boiling point on Friday when the police attempted to halt the council elections held on Saturday, citing a Federal High Court ruling that conflicted with an earlier Rivers State High Court ruling. The latter directed that the elections proceed in compliance with a Supreme Court judgement from July.
With the elections concluded and the unsealing order now in effect, local government activities are expected to return to normal, potentially diffusing the political tension that has gripped the state.
