The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s decision not to provide security for the Local Government elections in Rivers State, calling it “unconstitutional” and “an egregious violation of constitutional duties.”
In a statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA emphasized that the police have a statutory responsibility to ensure adequate security during and after the elections.
The association argued that the responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security “is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.”
The statement read, “We agree with the statement issued by the Chairmen of NBA Branches as we find it deeply troubling that the Police would brazenly issue a statement that they would shirk their constitutional responsibility of providing security in Rivers State in purported compliance with an order of court.
“Even if a court has directed the Police not to work with the Electoral Commission on Rivers State, nothing says the Police should not provide security for peace and order of Rivers State. The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court.”
The NBA also expressed concern over the police’s alleged attempt to undermine the scheduled elections in the 22 Local Government Areas of Rivers State by refusing to provide security.
It stated, “The assertion by the Rivers State Police, through the PPRO, that the Police will not provide security for the elections, if accurate, is an unfortunate abdication of responsibility and egregious violation of constitutional duties.
“The refusal to provide security is not only unconstitutional but also illegal, immoral, and a dangerous signal that invites lawlessness and undermines democracy. It is, in every sense, a direct attack on the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and, by extension, Nigeria as a whole. In fact, it threatens our democracy.”
The NBA demanded an immediate investigation into allegations that police officers attempted to cart away electoral materials at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission headquarters.
The NBA said, “We urge the Inspector General of Police to launch an immediate investigation into these troubling reports that Policemen sought to cart away electoral materials and ensure that any errant officers involved are swiftly and appropriately disciplined, regardless of whose interests are affected.”
Furthermore, the NBA expressed concern over conflicting judgments from the Rivers State High Court and the Federal High Court in Abuja regarding the elections.
It stated, “It is deeply disheartening and amounts to judicial rascality that courts of concurrent jurisdiction are issuing contradictory orders on the same matter.”
The NBA concluded by emphasizing that the protection of democracy and the rule of law must remain the highest priority, and that the police should never shirk their constitutional responsibilities to provide security during elections.
NBA said, “The security of elections and indeed every other activity are not matters for negotiation. They are constitutional responsibilities that must be carried out by the police at all times. The Police should NEVER shirk such responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Bar Association condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any attempt to undermine the scheduled elections in the 22 Local Government Areas of Rivers State by refusing to provide security. We will continue to closely monitor the situation as it unfolds.
“We call on all security agencies to rise to the challenge of protecting lives, property, and democracy during this critical time. The protection of our democracy and the upholding of the rule of law must remain the highest priority.”