By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
The Nigerian Bar Affiliation, NBA, has described as unconstitutional, the choice of the Nigeria Police Power, NPF, to not present safety for the Native Authorities elections scheduled to carry in Rivers State on Saturday.
NBA, which is the umbrella physique of authorized practitioners within the nation, in an announcement that was signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, maintained that police have a statutory duty to make sure enough safety within the state, throughout and after the elections.
It argued that the duty of the police to make sure peace and safety “is constitutional and can’t be restrained by any court docket.”
Whereas condemning any try to undermine the scheduled elections within the 22 LGAs in Rivers State by refusal to offer safety, NBA, demanded fast investigation of the allegation that law enforcement officials tried to cart away electoral supplies within the useless of the evening on the Head workplace of Rivers State Impartial Electoral Fee, RSIEC.
The assertion, a duplicate of which was made out there to Vanguard, learn: “The Nigerian Bar Affiliation, NBA, has famous with deep issues, the controversies and actions of actors regarding and pertaining the scheduled Native Authorities elections in Rivers State.
“The NBA has famous with explicit curiosity the assertion launched by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, which signifies that the Rivers State Police is not going to present safety in the course of the Native Authorities elections scheduled for Saturday, October 5, 2024.
“The NBA has additionally learn the disturbing report that some Policemen had been alleged to have tried to cart away electoral supplies within the useless of the evening on the Head workplace of Rivers State Impartial Electoral Fee, RSIEC.
“We agree with the assertion issued by the Chairmen of NBA Branches as we discover it deeply troubling that
the Police would overtly difficulty an announcement that they might shirk their constitutional duty of offering safety in Rivers State in purported compliance with an order of court docket.
“Even when a court docket has directed the Police to not work with the Electoral Fee on Rivers State, nothing says the Police mustn’t present safety for peace and order of Rivers State.
“The duty of the police to make sure peace and safety is constitutional and can’t be restrained by any court docket.
“The Police ought to always present safety for the nice folks of Nigeria and will in truth be apprehensive if any court docket order purports to forestall them from discharging this duty.
“The obligation to safe the lives and property of the folks is one that ought to by no means be restrained by the court docket .
“The Police, as a lot as all Nigerians, needs to be involved that such an announcement needs to be issued by the Police confirming they might abdicate their obligation.
“The Police should guarantee they discharge their duties always and urgently take steps to put aside any
judgement that seeks to forestall the Police from discharging their constitutional duties.
“To do in any other case could enthrone a reign of terror or breakdown of regulation and order. The folks of Rivers mustn’t ever be left unprotected, it doesn’t matter what.
“Any act or place that leaves the folks and their actions unprotected is totally unacceptable and strongly condemned by the Nigerian Bar Affiliation.
“The assertion by the Rivers State Police, by means of the PPRO, that the Police is not going to present safety for the elections, if correct, is an unlucky abdication of duty and egregious violation of constitutional duties.
“The refusal to offer safety is just not solely unconstitutional but additionally unlawful, immoral, and a harmful sign that invitations lawlessness and undermines democracy.
“It’s, in each sense, a direct assault on the democratic rights of the folks of Rivers State and, by extension, Nigeria as an entire. In reality, it threatens our democracy.
“The Nigeria Police Power is constitutionally mandated to guard lives and property, and this obligation extends to offering safety throughout elections. Any failure to carry out this obligation is unacceptable.
“The safety of elections and certainly each different actions usually are not issues for negotiation. They’re constitutional duties that have to be carried out by the police always. The Police ought to NEVER shirk such duties.
“The Nigerian Bar Affiliation condemns, within the strongest attainable phrases, any try to undermine the scheduled elections within the 22 Native Authorities Areas of Rivers State by refusing to offer safety.
“We’ll proceed to intently monitor the scenario because it unfolds.
“We name on all safety companies to rise to the problem of defending lives, property, and democracy throughout this important time.
“Moreover, we urge the Inspector Common of Police to launch an instantaneous investigation into these troubling studies that Policemen sought to cart away electoral supplies and be sure that any errant officers concerned are swiftly and appropriately disciplined, no matter whose pursuits are affected.
“The NBA has additionally taken be aware of the conflicting judgments from the Rivers State Excessive Courtroom and the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja in regards to the scheduled Native Authorities elections.
“It’s deeply disheartening and quantities to judicial rascality that courts of concurrent jurisdiction are issuing contradictory orders on the identical matter.
“The NBA is dedicated to partaking with all related stakeholders to discover a sustainable resolution to this fixed judicial battle, because the consistency and coherence of the regulation are basic to its effectiveness.
“The safety of our democracy and the upholding of the rule of regulation should stay the very best precedence.”