Governor Siminalayi Fubara has voiced his concern regarding President Bola Tinubu’s comments about the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State, without addressing his minister, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara shared his worries during an appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today, citing the simplicity of the issue and implying that the problem lies elsewhere.
“The issue is very simple… 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,” he stated.
Recall that following the swearing-in of 23 local government chairmen by Fubara on Sunday, there was a violent clash in at least four local government areas in Rivers State on Monday, with buildings set ablaze and gunshots fired.
The violence followed the withdrawal of police officers securing the 23 council secretariats.
Despite the controversy surrounding the local government elections, Fubara insisted on holding the polls, which resulted in the Action People’s Party (APP) winning 22 chairmanship positions and the Action Alliance (AA) securing one seat.
Fubara swiftly swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday, but some were attacked upon assumption of office, and council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents.
President Tinubu intervened late Monday, ordering the police to secure the local government secretariats and calling on Fubara, political leaders, and supporters to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
Fubara welcomed the Inspector General of Police’s intervention but emphasized the need for security personnel to remain at the secretariats to prevent further destruction.
“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,” Fubara explained.
