Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed concern over President Bola Tinubu’s mention of his name in a statement addressing the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State. Fubara made this known during his appearance on *Politics Today* on Channels Television on Monday.
The unrest in Rivers State saw violent clashes erupt in at least four local government areas. Parts of the secretariats in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua were set ablaze by political hoodlums, while sporadic gunfire was reported in Ahoada East as some resisted the newly elected council officials on Monday.
The attacks followed the withdrawal of police officers from the 23 local government secretariats earlier that day.
Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu Orders Police To Secure Rivers LG Secretariats
Despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police pulling out of the election that produced the new local government chairmen, Fubara insisted the polls proceed as scheduled on Saturday.
As a result, the Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 out of the 23 chairmanship positions, with the Action Alliance (AA) securing one.
Fubara swiftly swore in the 23 newly elected chairmen on Sunday, but by Monday, some of the local government heads were attacked, and several council buildings were set on fire by political opponents.
Later that evening, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, ordered the police to secure the local government secretariats in the state. The President also urged Governor Fubara, alongside political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State, to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
Reacting to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara said, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.
“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. We know what the issue is and the issue is not Fubara, it is not.
“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.
“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of.
“I was never of the opinion that the police should pull out completely. No. When they said they were moving out, it was what allowed these miscreants to take advantage of the secretariats to destroy them.”
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