Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has expressed concern after President Bola Tinubu mentioned only his name in a statement addressing the violent attacks and destruction of local government secretariats in the state. Fubara shared his thoughts during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program.
The unrest in Rivers State began after newly elected local government chairmen were sworn in on Sunday, following elections that were largely boycotted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police. The Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 out of 23 council chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one.
Violence erupted on Monday in several local government areas, including Eleme, Ikwerre, Emohua, and Ahoada East. Hoodlums set parts of the council secretariats on fire, while gunshots were heard in Ahoada East as resistance broke out against the newly sworn-in officials. The situation worsened following the withdrawal of police officers from the 23 council secretariats, leaving the buildings and officials vulnerable to attacks.
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.”
