Rights Group Urges Police To Maintain Neutrality In Rivers

A coalition of local human rights groups in Nigeria, the Human Rights Advocacy Crusaders (HRAC), has urged the Police and other security agents in Rivers State to maintain neutrality and impartiality in the ongoing local government crisis.

In a statement signed by Pastor Jerry King Nicholas, the group said taking sides could lead to further violence and clashes between supporters of different parties, resulting in deaths and destruction of property.

Recall that after the expiration of the tenure of LG chairmen, vice and councillors, Governor Siminalayi Fubara ordered heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to take over.

He subsequently swore in caretaker chairpersons in accordance with the law. However, some LG chairmen have insisted on holding on to their offices.

According to Nicholas, the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and other officials is a constitutional matter, hence security agents should not allow “power grabbers” to have their way.

“The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No 5 of 2018 provide for a 3-year tenure for local government chairmen, with a possibility of a second term,” he said.

“We inform the security agents that the law No 2 of 2024, which attempted to extend the tenure of the outgoing chairmen by six months has been expunged from the laws of Rivers State by Justice D.G. Kio of the state High Court.

“This means that the outgoing chairmen cannot rely on a non-existent law to continue in office. ”

The Human Rights Advocacy Crusaders, therefore, urged the security agents to prevent violence and maintain peace while allowing the democratic process to unfold, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld

“We also urge the former chairmen and others who are still eligible to seek re-election into the councils whenever elections are scheduled by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, rather than resorting to violence,” Nicholas added.

“We refer to the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the Attorney General of the Federation versus the Attorney General of Abia State (2021), which ruled on the tenure of council chairmen in the state, and applies to all states of the federation.

“We reiterate that security agents must remain neutral and not take sides with any party. They must also prevent violence and maintain peace in Rivers State while allowing the democratic process to unfold, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.”