By Divine Sam
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the Nigeria Police Force’s decision not to provide security for the upcoming Local Government elections in Rivers State, labeling it unconstitutional. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe emphasized the police’s statutory duty to ensure public safety during elections, arguing that this obligation cannot be limited by court orders.
The association expressed concern over allegations of police officers attempting to remove electoral materials unlawfully. It called for an immediate investigation into these claims and criticized any action that undermines electoral integrity.
The NBA stressed that the police’s role in maintaining peace is vital for democracy and urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure accountability among officers. Furthermore, it highlighted the problematic conflicting court rulings regarding the elections, urging stakeholders to work towards resolving judicial inconsistencies to uphold the rule of law.