The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has expressed deep concern over the actions and controversies surrounding the upcoming Local Government elections in Rivers State, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
In a statement shared via his X handle, Osigwe strongly condemned the recent announcement by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, indicating that the police will not provide security during the elections.
The NBA also expressed alarm over reports that some policemen allegedly attempted to cart away electoral materials from the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) headquarters at night. This raised further concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections and the role of the police.
Osigwe and the NBA are aligned with the concerns voiced by the NBA Branch Chairmen in Rivers State, denouncing the police’s refusal to perform their constitutional duty. The Association stressed that the police’s responsibility to maintain peace and security in Rivers State cannot be overridden by any court order. Even if a court has instructed the police not to collaborate with the Electoral Commission, this does not absolve them of their duty to ensure public safety and order.
The NBA emphasized that securing lives, property, and the democratic process is a constitutional duty that no court should restrain. Any statement by the police suggesting they would abandon this responsibility is deeply troubling. The NBA calls on the police to challenge any court ruling that may hinder their performance of these essential duties.
“The people of Rivers State must never be left unprotected,” the statement reads. Any refusal to provide security is not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral, and a dangerous precedent that invites chaos and undermines democracy. The NBA asserts that such actions pose a direct threat to the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and, by extension, all Nigerians.
The Association called on the Nigeria Police Force to uphold its constitutional mandate to protect lives and property, especially during elections. The NBA expressed its strongest condemnation of any attempt to undermine the elections in Rivers State’s 22 Local Government Areas by withholding security. It urged security agencies to step up and ensure the protection of citizens, property, and democratic processes during this critical time.
In addition to these concerns, the NBA also raised alarm over conflicting court judgments from the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the elections. The Association labeled these contradictions as “judicial rascality,” emphasizing that conflicting rulings from courts of equal jurisdiction threaten the consistency and coherence of the law. The NBA is committed to working with relevant stakeholders to resolve this ongoing judicial conflict, as a clear and consistent legal framework is essential for the rule of law.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Bar Association reaffirmed its commitment to defending democracy and the rule of law. It called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate reports of officers attempting to interfere with the electoral process by removing electoral materials and to take immediate action against those involved. The protection of democracy and the rule of law, the NBA stressed, must remain the nation’s highest priority.
