Human right groups urge police neutrality in Rivers LGA crisis

By Femi Ogunshola
A coalition of human rights groups and the Human Rights Advocacy Crusaders (HRAC) have urged the Police and other security agents in Rivers to maintain neutrality and impartiality in the ongoing local government crisis.
Pastor Jerry Nicholas, the group spokesperson, on Thursday in Abuja said that taking sides could escalate the crisis.
He added that it could lead to further violence and clashes between supporters of different parties, resulting in deaths and destruction of property.
According to Nicholas, the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen and other officials is a constitutional matter, hence security agents should help to maintain the peace in the state.
“The law is clear: the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No 5 of 2018 provide for a 3-year tenure for local government chairmen, with a possibility of a second term,” he said.
He urged the security agents to prevent violence and maintain peace while allowing the democratic process to unfold, and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
Nicholas urged the former chairmen and others who are still eligible to seek re-election into the councils whenever elections are scheduled by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
He reiterated that security agents must remained neutral and not take sides with any party.
It would be recalled that after the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen, vice and councillors, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara ordered heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to take over the administration of the local government areas
He subsequently swore in caretaker chairpersons in accordance with the law.
However, some local government chairmen have insisted on holding on to their offices.(NAN)www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi