HURIWA Calls Out IGP for Alleged Partisanship in Rivers LG Election

HURIWA questions the neutrality of Nigeria’s Police Chief, urging him to choose between policing and politics in Rivers State’s local government election

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised concerns over alleged police partisanship in Rivers election, urging Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to decide whether he wants to remain a neutral enforcer of the law or actively engage in politics. This call comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State successfully thwarted an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take control of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, police officers reportedly moved to seize control of the electoral commission. This act has raised serious concerns, with many seeing it as a breach of the impartial role that law enforcement agencies are expected to uphold during elections.

HURIWA further criticized the Inspector General, claiming he is compromising his position by becoming entangled in the ongoing political struggle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The group decried the growing signs of police partisanship in Rivers election, suggesting that Egbetokun’s actions are aligning with political interests rather than ensuring fairness.

“We call on the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, to choose if he wants to remove his uniform and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially, instead of wearing a uniform paid for by taxpayers, most of whom have no political allegiance,” HURIWA stated. The association stressed that law enforcement officers should focus on their duty to protect citizens and maintain peace, not act as political operatives for influential figures like former Governor Wike.