Governor Siminalayi Fubara has voiced concern over President Bola Tinubu’s recent statement addressing the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State, particularly the mention of Fubara’s name.
Fubara, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, commented on the violent clashes that erupted in at least four local government areas, including Eleme, Ikwerre, Emohua, and Ahoada East. Political hoodlums set parts of the council buildings ablaze, and gunfire was reported as resistance against newly elected council officials.
The chaos followed the sudden withdrawal of police officers from all 23 council secretariats on Monday morning. Despite the decision by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police to abstain from the local government elections held the previous Saturday, Governor Fubara insisted that the election proceed.
The Action People’s Party (APP) emerged victorious in 22 of the 23 local government areas, while the Action Alliance (AA) claimed the remaining seat. On Sunday, Fubara swore in all newly elected council chairmen, but some faced violent attacks the following day. Several secretariats were also set on fire by political opponents.
Late Monday, President Tinubu, through a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, ordered the police to secure the secretariats and urged Governor Fubara, political leaders, and their supporters to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law.
In response, Fubara expressed his unease at being personally mentioned in the President’s message. He stated, “I don’t have an issue with the President’s intervention, but I’m a bit concerned that my name was singled out. The issue here is clear. Everyone in Rivers State and across Nigeria knows the root of this problem. It’s not about me.”
Fubara suggested that the police withdrawal may have emboldened the violent acts, saying, “The decision to pull out police officers might have allowed these miscreants to exploit the situation. While they are present, the elected officials should be able to perform their duties under proper security.” He emphasized that he was never in favor of removing the police entirely, which led to the destruction of the secretariats.
