RULAAC urges FG to prevent Nigeria Police Force, from interfering in State electoral matters

Stanley Ihedigbo

Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed worries and urged Federal Government to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force operates independently and refrains from interfering in state electoral matters.

The group advised that State government should be allowed  to manage their own affairs without undue federal influence.

According to a statement made available to The Mirror, signed by Executive Director, RULAAC, Com. Okechukwu Nwanguma, this is essential for the preservation and strengthening of Nigeria’s democracy.

He noted that they are deeply concerned about the reported attempt by a police team from the Rivers State Police Command to break into the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission’s strong room to remove electoral materials meant for Saturday local government elections in Rivers State.

“This incident, especially in light of recent allegations of police partisanship during the Edo State governorship election, and later in the local government electoral sham in Imo State underscores a troubling trend of political interference and brazen irregularities in local elections by federal authorities instrumentalising the police.

“Local government elections are under the jurisdiction of state governments, and any attempt by federal politicians to leverage police power for electoral manipulation is a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic process. Such actions undermine the integrity of elections and erode public trust in democratic institutions,” he stated.