NBA
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the decision of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) not to provide security during the Local Government (LG) election in Rivers State on Saturday.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) in a statement on Friday night said the Police cannot shirk its responsibility to provide security in Rivers State.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has noted with deep concerns the controversies and actions of actors relating to and pertaining the scheduled Local Government elections in Rivers State,” Osigwe said.
“The NBA has noted with particular interest the statement released by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko which indicates that the Rivers State Police will not provide security during the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
“The NBA has also read the disturbing report that some Policemen were alleged to have attempted to cart away electoral materials in the dead of the night at the head office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“We agree with the statement issued by the chairmen of NBA branches in Rivers State as we find it deeply troubling that the Police would brazenly issue a statement that they would shirk their constitutional responsibility of providing security in Rivers State in purported compliance with an order of court.
“Even if a court has directed the Police not to work with the Electoral Commission in Rivers State, nothing says the Police should not provide security for peace and order in Rivers State.”
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 stated that the Police should at all times provide security for the good people of Nigeria and should in fact be worried if any court order purports to prevent them from discharging this responsibility.
According to him, the duty to secure the lives and property of the people is one that should never be restrained by the court.
Osigwe said the Police as well as all Nigerians should be concerned that such a statement was issued by the force, confirming they would abdicate their duty.
The NBA President warned that the Police must ensure they discharge their duties at all times and urgently take steps to set aside any judgement that seeks to prevent them from discharging their constitutional responsibilities.
He said to do otherwise may enthrone a reign of terror or breakdown of law and order, adding that the people of Rivers must never be left unprotected no matter what.
Osigwe said any act or position that leaves the people and their activities unprotected is utterly unacceptable and strongly condemned by the Nigerian Bar Association.
He lamented that the assertion by the Rivers State Police, through the PPRO, that they will not provide security for the LG election if accurate is an unfortunate abdication of responsibility and egregious violation of constitutional duties.
According to him, their refusal to provide security is not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral and a dangerous signal that invites lawlessness and undermines democracy.
Osigwe said it is in every sense a direct attack on the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and by extension, Nigeria as a whole, adding that it in fact threatens the nation’s democracy.
He pointed out that the Police is constitutionally mandated to protect lives and property and this duty extends to providing security during elections.
Osigwe said any failure to perform this obligation is unacceptable because the security of elections and indeed every other activity are not matters for negotiation.
According to him, they are constitutional responsibilities that must be carried out by the police at all times and the force should never shirk such responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Bar Association condemns in the strongest possible terms any attempt to undermine the scheduled elections in the 22 Local Government Areas of Rivers State by refusing to provide security,” he said.
“We will continue to closely monitor the situation as it unfolds. We call on all security agencies to rise to the challenge of protecting lives, property and democracy during this critical time.
“Furthermore, we urge the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate investigation into these troubling report that Policemen sought to cart away electoral materials and ensure that any errant officers involved are swiftly and appropriately disciplined regardless of whose interests are affected.
“The NBA has also taken note of the conflicting judgments from the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning the scheduled Local Government elections.
“It is deeply disheartening and amounts to judicial rascality that courts of concurrent jurisdiction are issuing contradictory orders on the same matter.
“The NBA is committed to engaging with all relevant stakeholders to find a sustainable solution to this constant judicial conflict as the consistency and coherence of the law are fundamental to its effectiveness.
“The protection of our democracy and the upholding of the rule of law must remain the highest priority,” Osigwe concluded.
