Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, voiced his unease over President Bola Tinubu’s mention of his name in a statement regarding the recent destruction of local government secretariats in the state. Fubara expressed his concerns during an appearance on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday.
“I do not have any issue with it [the President’s intervention], but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned,” Fubara said. “Everyone in Nigeria, everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from. It’s not rocket science. The issue is not Fubara.”
His comments come after violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas, including Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua, where parts of the council buildings were set ablaze by political thugs. Gunfire was also reported in Ahoada East as newly elected council officials were met with resistance upon assuming office on Monday.
The violence followed the withdrawal of police officers from all 23 council secretariats, leaving the premises vulnerable. Several secretariats were later attacked, with political opponents setting fire to some buildings.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police had boycotted the election, which resulted in the Action People’s Party (APP) winning 22 out of 23 local government chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) claimed one seat.
Governor Fubara swore in the newly elected officials on Sunday, but many faced immediate hostility upon taking office. Following the violence, President Tinubu issued a statement late Monday, instructing police to secure the affected secretariats and urging political leaders, including Governor Fubara, to exercise restraint.
Fubara, while welcoming the President’s intervention, pointed out the root of the problem, linking the chaos to the withdrawal of police security.
“Maybe as a result of the police pulling out of those secretariats, the hoodlums took advantage of the situation,” Fubara explained. “I was never of the opinion that the police should pull out completely. No. When they moved out, it allowed these miscreants to destroy the secretariats.”
Fubara expressed hope that the Inspector General of Police’s recent intervention would provide stability, calling for continued security to allow the elected officers to carry out their duties.
