Group condemns police occupation of Rivers councils

Expresses concern about growing economic and social problems

The South-East South-South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has condemned the siege of the secretariats of 23 local councils in Rivers State by the Nigerian Police, describing it as unlawful, baseless and irresponsible.

A recent clash in Port Harcourt, the state capital, took place over the term of office of council chairmen, resulting in the death of a policeman and a vigilante.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has said his officers will remain in council secretariats until the court resolves the term extension crisis in the state.

The group’s chairman, Hannibal Uwaifo, yesterday at a global press conference condemned in its entirety the unilateral actions of the police, who, ostensibly for security reasons, said the case was taken to court.

SESSPN believes that the Nigerian Police are assisted by legal advisers and are made up of sensible men who are familiar with the Nigerian Constitution and therefore should know the difference between elected and appointed officials.

He said: “The police authorities further inflamed sensitivities when the leaders insisted that the illegal occupation would continue until the court issued a ruling. This is sad and unfortunate for Nigeria in 2024.”

SESSPN called on the IGP to immediately withdraw the officers or take legal action, including peaceful protests until they leave the councils. SESSPN noted that the federal government has no power to remove an elected governor, not even an elected council chairman under the Constitution.

The group further appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to repair its image by conducting exceptionally transparent elections in Edo State.

“We believe that INEC, as an independent body, must defend its rights and conduct transparent elections in which the voices of citizens will count,” Uwaifo said.

The body appealed to politicians in Edo State to conduct themselves properly and treat the elections as an opportunity to promote the interests of the state and not their personal interests or those of political parties.

The group’s secretary general, Kalu Onuma, deplored the growing economic and social problems besetting Nigeria, criticising the federal government’s policies that contribute to worsening poverty and hunger.