Security operatives led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the wee hours of today, Friday, September 4, reportedly foiled an attempt by men dressed in police uniform to take over the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
Sources said the incident occurred at about 1:00 a.m, explaining that the miscreants attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the commission to cart away sensitive electoral materials meant for the conduct of tomorrow (Saturday, 5 October’s) local government election in the State.
“The move was botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the development,” a source who witnessed the incident told Punch.
The source said that the Governor, on getting the information, quickly mobilized a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to the scene.
Speaking to newsmen in front of the RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Fubara condemned the incident and commended the security men for their alertness.
Another Government House source said: “The Governor said local government election is the internal affairs of states, and advised those trying to truncate the process and cause anarchy in the state to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.”
To stem any further attempt to violate the sanctity of the RSIEC’s premises and documents, some government officials, stakeholders, and supporters are said to be keeping vigil at the facility, it was further gathered.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, could not be reached for confirmation of the incident but the eyewitness source assured government officials and security had been stationed there to deal with any emergencies as at the time of this report early this morning.
