Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara expresses concern over President Bola Tinubu's mention of his name regarding recent violence and destruction of local government secretariats. Following police withdrawal, political clashes erupted, leading to the burning of buildings. Fubara urges for increased security to restore peace in the state.
In a recent appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara expressed his concern regarding President Bola Tinubu’s mention of his name about the recent violence and destruction of local government secretariats in the state. Fubara's remarks come in the wake of significant unrest, where political hoodlums attacked council buildings in areas such as Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua, leading to the burning of several secretariats.
The turmoil escalated after the police withdrew from securing the newly elected local government offices, which allowed for the violent clashes to erupt. Following the local elections, the Action People’s Party (APP) secured 22 of 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) claimed the remaining seat. Fubara had sworn in these newly elected officials just a day before the violence broke out.
In response to the crisis, President Tinubu ordered police reinforcements to secure the local government premises and urged political leaders in the state to uphold the rule of law. While Fubara welcomed the intervention, he voiced discomfort that his name was singled out in the President's statement, asserting that the root causes of the unrest extend beyond him.
He emphasized the importance of providing security for elected officials, criticizing the decision to withdraw police presence that left the secretariats vulnerable to attack. Fubara remains hopeful that recent interventions will restore peace in the state.
