In a series of tweets, House of Representatives member for Ideato North and South, Imo Ugochinyere, has raised alarm over the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
Ugochinyere expressed concern over alleged violent actions by supporters of a serving minister in President Tinubu’s government, Nysom Wike, accusing them of burning government property and causing widespread unrest. He criticized the police for failing to intervene and called on Tinubu to address the situation immediately.
“Nigeria has walked this dangerous path before, and the consequences were devastating,” Ugochinyere warned. “Mr. President, stop the madness these overnight supporters are carrying out. Rivers people and Nigerians are watching.”
He defended the legitimacy of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, emphasizing that the recent swearing-in of elected local government chairmen could not be undone by violence or intimidation. Ugochinyere slammed the so-called “Wike group” for allegedly attempting to destabilize the state through violence and intimidation.
“It’s stupidity to think that burning down government properties and hiring cultists to fire guns from moving vehicles will help someone seize control of the state’s treasury. You’re killing your own people, destroying your own state. This will only quicken your downfall.”
Ugochinyere also issued a stern warning to those involved in the violence, stating they would face severe consequences for their actions. He urged Tinubu to intervene before the unrest threatens Nigeria’s entire democratic system.
“Rivers people will not surrender to low-budget occultic criminals. The elected government will remain in office, and no amount of violence will change that.”
This comes as Ugochinyere previously called on PDP governors to show solidarity with Governor Fubara, lamenting the lack of support as the political tensions escalate ahead of the scheduled local government elections on October 5.
In his statement on Friday, Ugochinyere praised Governor Fubara for standing firm in the face of threats from police and other political actors, urging other PDP leaders to publicly support him during this critical period.