A group, the Simplicity Rivers Elders Forum (SIREF) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to launch an investigation into an attempt to remove materials meant for the local government election in Rivers State on October 3, 2024.

Recall that a team of policemen had, in the wee hours of October 3, invaded the headquarters of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) with an alleged intent to remove materials meant for the just-concluded October 5 local government election in the state.

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday, SIREF spokesman Professor Sola Obianime lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for rising to the occasion by storming RSIEC headquarters and ordering the police team out.

Obianime said: „Furthermore, we insist that the Nigerian Police must investigate and not sweep under the carpet the attempt by a convoy of the Nigerian Police from Bayelsa State to steal Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) electoral materials for the recently concluded local government election in the middle of the night.

“We, the elders, salute the courage and vigilance of our amiable governor for rising to the occasion in defence of the democratic rights of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria in general.

“We also commend RSIEC for their sagacity, pro-activeness, and their refusal to be intimidated in the course of their duty.“

He praised the chief justice of Nigeria and the president of the Court of Appeal for setting up the legal team to review all cases relating to the political crisis in the state.

Obianime, however, wondered why court matters relating to the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, have taken more than one year to be heard, while matters relating to the just-concluded local government election have been treated up to the Court of Appeal level.