According to a video that was posted on the official X account of ARISE NEWS on Tuesday from 0.12, a member of the Rivers Elders Forum, Anabs Sara Igbe has stated that the governor has the power to direct the Commissioner of Police to protect lives and properties.
He said the 1999 constitution of Nigeria has given governors the power to do so. He said in the case of Rivers state, the Commissioner of Police was taking directives from outside rather than taking directives from the governor.
According to Anabs Sara Igbe;
“The constitution of this country in 1999 in section 215 as amended is very clear that the governor has the power to direct the Commissioner of Police to protect lives and properties. In the case of Rivers state, the commissioner refused to take directives from the governor but rather, he was taking directives from outside the government. The governor is the Chief Executive Officer of the state and the constitution empowers them. Ther is no other directive that is more than the constitutional provison”.