Rivers Police Deny Sealing Off State Electoral Commission Office

The Rivers State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that its officers sealed the office of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in Port Harcourt.

Earlier reports had suggested that the RSIEC secretariat was sealed following a Federal High Court order halting the local government elections scheduled for October 5.

However, the Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, clarified to journalists in Port Harcourt that these reports were false.

She explained that police officers were stationed at the RSIEC office purely for security reasons amid the ongoing October 1 nationwide protests in the state capital.

“The police presence at the facility is strictly for security purposes and not to interfere with the electoral process,” Iringe-Koko stated.

She urged media outlets to verify information before publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.

In addition to refuting claims of sealing the RSIEC office, the police spokesperson also denied allegations that officers had assaulted protesters during the #FearInOctober march in the state.

Despite the Federal High Court’s order halting the elections, RSIEC has expressed its intent to move forward with the local government council polls.

RSIEC Chairman, retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli, cited a ruling from the State High Court, which instructed the commission to proceed with the elections scheduled for Saturday.