Governor Siminalayi Fubara has voiced concern over President Bola Tinubu’s direct mention of his name in a statement addressing the recent destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.
Fubara, speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, emphasized that he was not responsible for the violence that erupted following the local government elections in the state.
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Fubara remarked, “Everyone in Nigeria knows I have no hand in what is happening… My meekness should not be mistaken for weakness.”
The unrest occurred in several local government areas, with council premises in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua set ablaze by political hoodlums, while sporadic gunfire was reported in Ahoada East as resistance to newly elected council officials intensified.
The violence followed the withdrawal of police officers from 23 local government secretariats earlier on Monday.
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Despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police opting out of the election, Governor Fubara insisted on going forward with the vote on Saturday.
The Action People’s Party (APP) emerged victorious in 22 of the 23 chairmanship positions, with the Action Alliance (AA) winning one seat.
Fubara swore in the newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday, but violence erupted as some officials were attacked upon assuming office, and secretariats were torched.
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In response to the escalating crisis, President Tinubu ordered the police to restore security at the local government secretariats.
A statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga urged Governor Fubara, political leaders, and their supporters to maintain peace and respect the rule of law.
However, Fubara expressed unease over being singled out in the President’s statement.
“I don’t have an issue with the President’s intervention, but I am a bit concerned that my name was the only one mentioned,” he said.
He stressed that the source of the problem is widely known and does not lie with him.
“The issue is not Fubara, and everyone in Rivers State knows what’s going on,” he added.
Fubara welcomed the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, speculating that the withdrawal of police officers from the secretariats may have emboldened hoodlums to attack.
He urged the police to restore security at the secretariats to allow the newly elected officials to perform their duties.
“I never agreed with the idea of the police pulling out completely. Their absence allowed miscreants to take advantage of the situation and wreak havoc,” Fubara concluded.
