Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has knocked the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force Kayode Egbetokun over attempts by its officers to disrupt the River State local government election.
In the early hours of Friday, the police allegedly tried to force their way into the offices of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC and remove election materials.
HURIWA noted that the conduct was unbecoming of the Nigeria Police Force, and the IG must decide to be professional or declare himself a card-carrying member of the All-Progressives Congress.
“We urge the IGP of Police Kayode Egbetokun to decide if he wants to remove his uniform and then join the All-Progressives Congress as a registered card-carrying member rather than wear the uniform.
” It is unprofessional for the IGP to dabble into the political fisticuffs in Rivers State on behalf of the self-acclaimed political godfather of Rivers State Barrister Nyesom Wike,” HURIWA said in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko.
“The Police in Rivers state controlled from the office of IGP in Abuja, must behave like professionals rather than always acting as the armed thugs of All Progressives Congress.”
HURIWA demanded the arrest of the officers who raided the Rivers state Electoral Commission in Port Harcourt.
“We view this brazen attack on the soul of democracy in Rivers state by the partisan Nigeria Police as an attempted coup which must not be swept under the carpets of impunity.
“We will continue to warn the Nigeria Police to steer off politics and operate in compliance to the constitutional provisions which created the Policing institution to enforce law and order and not to be deployed for political parties’ supremacy battles to advance the ambitions of certain individuals only because they are affiliated to the All-Progressives Congress which is the party in power at the centre.”
