Paul Ibe, the spokesman of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, said on Saturday the Rivers State local government election may usher in a new dispensation of better polls without police.

He was reacting to the withdrawal of police from the Rivers local government election.

Posting on X, Ibe wrote: “The withdrawal of the @PoliceNG from today’s #RiversLGAPolls2024 will confirm to the whole world the anti-democratic elements and institutions in Nigeria.

“The outcome of the election may usher in a new regime in which our elections are better off without the police.”

Reports had it that voting went on peacefully in the local government elections in Rivers State despite the police barring officers from providing security for the exercise.

Election officials were seen conducting accreditation and voting simultaneously at a polling unit in Ikoku Area, Units 14 and 15 in Port Harcourt City Ward 18.

Yesterday, the Rivers State Police Command announced its withdrawal from the local government election.

Spokesman of the state police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement titled “Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election,” confirmed receiving a restraining order preventing them from providing security during the LGA elections.

The command also said it was aware of the 30th September 2024 Court judgement from the Federal High Court Abuja, which bars the Force from participating in the election.

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