Politics
De-Politicising Rivers Police Command
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu has been in the news since the state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) got enmeshed in intra-party crisis. Mbu’s name gained prominence following the suspension of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon Timothy Nsirim and 17 councillors by the Rivers State House of Assembly to enable it investigate allegations bordering on misappropriation of public fund. Subsequently, a Caretaker Committee was sworn in to pilot the affairs of the council pending the outcome of the investigation.
But Hon Nsirim is of the view that he was unduly suspended from office and has gone to the court to challenge the action of the State Assembly. The political crisis rocking the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council which some political pundits perceive as a backlash against the leadership tussle in the state chapter of PDP took another twist when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police ordered his men to barricade the Obio/Akpor council headquarters, thus denying the Caretaker Committee and staff acess to their workplace to carry out their legitimate duties.
In the light of the confusion and fear of uncertainty that trailed the invasion of Obio/ Akpor Council headquarters the police therefore attributed its action to intelligence report on purported plan by hoodlums to damage public property in the council. While the intelligence report cannot be wished away in view of the threats by youths who are loyal to the suspended council chairman, some keen observers of the unfolding drama in Obio/Akpor have argued that the police should rather provide adequate security at the Council headquarters to enable workers go about their legitimate duties unhindered. It appears that the Police Commissioner, for reasons best known to him has refused to muster the will to track down those threatening fire and brimstone to forestall possible mayhem.
In fact, his handling of security issue in the wake of the polticial wrangling in the state has raised so many questions. Top government functionaries in the state have repeatedly alleged that he is taking sides in the intra-party crisis, an allegation that is becoming increasingly weightier by the day in the face of what could be regarded as compromising posture of the State Police Command.
How could one explain the sudden withdrawal of security personnel attached to Okrika Local Government Council headquarters shortly after the Council Chairman, Tamuno William appeared on Channel Television, expressing his personal viewers over police action in Obio/ Akpor crisis and the invasion of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Also, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan Amaechree recently raised alarm over the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his office. It is worthy of mention that the Speaker is one top government functionary that has repeatedly accused the State Police Commissioner of taking sides in the state PDP crisis.
The Speaker in a recent statement said “sequel to my letter to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigerian Armed Forces of plans to unleash mayhem in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu has unceremoniously withdrawn the orderly and escort attached to me.
“I have expressed my fears about plans to withdraw security operatives from the governor and top officials of the Rivers State Government, including myself, thus making us vulnerable to attack by hoodlums”.
The Speaker said he believed that the fears for his life had been confirmed following the assassination of a principal aide to Chief G.U. Ake who was said to have been tortured and shot to death in his house, at Erema, in Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Sir Tony Okocha also raised alarm that his security aides had been withdrawn. Okocha, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor has been critical of the State Police Command over the intra-party crisis.
More worrisome is the fact that the state police command has been inconsistent in its response to this allegation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Agnela Agabe denied that the security aides attached to either the speaker or any government appointee was withdrawn. “ I have been receiving calls from many quarters and I have repeatedly informed them that there is no iota of truth in that allegation,’ he said.
But the Police Commissioner, in a press briefing admitted that the command withdrew some security personnel attached to these functionaries.
“There is police abuse in certain quarters here in Rivers State. Everybody in Government House wants to see himself as governor. If the Speaker of Rivers State House Assembly has 15 personnel from Special Protection Unit of Nigeria Police, as if those men are not enough , he still acquired nine from the Mobile Police force, Squadron 19, and 15 plus nine, how many? One person has 24. What is his entitlement?
“So, what we have tried to do is to make sure that every oppointee or political office-holder gets what he is entitled so that we can have enough men to go on patrols,” he said.
In the case of Okrika Council chairman, Hon Tamuno William, the Police Commissioner explained that he was entitled to one orderly, but had seven Mobile Policemen in his convoy. He said he only withdraw the Mobile Policemen.
However, we must remind the police in the state of its constitutional obligation to maintain law and order. Therefore it should be fair to all manner of persons, including both factions in the state PDP in the discharge of its duties. While every leader is confronted with various challenges, we can boldly say that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has made remarkable impact on the security of lives and property. In the past six years Rivers State has been peaceful under his watch. Police Commissioner, help sustain the peace.
Reward Akwu
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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