“Firstly, it is important to clarify that there is a subsisting Federal High Court order barring the Nigeria Police Force from participating in the Rivers State elections. This order was duly served on both the NPF and the Rivers State Government. As a law-abiding institution, the IGP instructed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State to strictly adhere to this court order by refraining from any direct involvement in the election process.” – Nigerian Police on Rivers State local elections.
There was this GST (general studies) course we took in first year in FUT Owerri titled something like Nigeria and Political Economy. That course explained the structure of the Nigerian polity. My understanding of that course was that the Police have a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and properties. In other words, if you have a scenario where two politicians will likely battle, that is even more important for the Police to show up. That the Police will obey Court order NOT to show up is very unfortunate for Nigeria.
I think some of these judges should be paid to retire as I do not see the value they are delivering. I am not sure they read some of the confusions they are sending as rulings. How do you tell the Police not to protect people and properties especially when you model a possibility of problems? Simply, what justice is that judge delivering to the Nigerian people?
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Good People, the Nigerian judiciary is messing up big time. I hope some bad guys do not get a court injunction telling the military not to operate in Abuja. Because if the military obeys that court order, I am not sure the judges will be safe!
I am just a lay common man, but Nigeria must not allow the Police to be restrained by Court orders because the idea does not make sense. I agree with the Nigerian Bar Association. Yes, go there, protect people and properties but do not get involved in the political, voting or electioneering apparatus.
The responsibility of the police to ensure peace and security is constitutional and cannot be restrained by any court. The Police should at all times provide security for the good people of Nigeria and should in fact be worried that any court order purports to prevent them from discharging this responsibility. The duty to secure the lives and property of the people is one that should never be restrained by the court . The Police as much as all Nigerians should be concerned that such a statement should be issued by the Police confirming they would abdicate their duty. The Police must ensure they discharge their duties at all times and urgently take steps to set aside any judgement that seeks to prevent the Police from discharging their constitutional responsibilities. To do otherwise may enthrone a reign of terror or breakdown of law and order. The people of Rivers must never be left unprotected, no matter what. – Nigerian Bar Association
[The Police do not need to get involved, via any form of assistance, in the voting, political, etc processes but cannot be restrained from operating to maintain law and order even during the processes]
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