Rivers Crises: Its concerning, Tinubu called out only my name, says Fubara

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has voiced concern after President Bola Tinubu mentioned his name in connection with the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.

Fubara, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, shared his thoughts on the President’s remarks.

Violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas, with buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua set ablaze by political hoodlums. In Ahoada East, gunshots were fired as an attempt was made to resist newly elected council officials. The attacks followed the withdrawal of police officers from the 23 council secretariats earlier in the day.

Despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police boycotting the elections that resulted in the new local government chairpersons, Fubara insisted that the election proceed on Saturday. The Action People’s Party (APP) won 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats, while the Action Alliance (AA) claimed the remaining seat. Fubara swore in the new chairpersons on Sunday, but some were attacked upon assuming office the following day, and several council secretariats were torched by political rivals.

In response to the unrest, President Tinubu, through his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, directed the police to secure the local government secretariats in the state. He also called on Governor Fubara and political leaders in Rivers to maintain peace and uphold the rule of law.

While Fubara welcomed the President’s intervention, he expressed unease at being singled out. “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.

“The issue is very simple. It’s as simple as ABC, 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.

“I believe strongly that with the recent intervention of the Inspector General of Police, maybe we will have a breathing space.

“Maybe as a result of him pulling his men out of those secretariats might be one of the reasons they (hoodlums) took advantage of the situation but I will appeal that while the men are there, the elected officers should have the opportunity to do their work, at least, let them provide security for them, which was even what I was thinking of.

“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.”