Fubara says he’s worried despite Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers’ political crisis

Fubara argued that “everyone in Rivers State knows where this issue is coming from” adding that “It’s not rocket science”

By Kehinde Okeowo

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday applauded the decision of President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing political crisis in his state

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s programme ‘Politics Today’, the governor, added that despite the intervention, he is worried that the president only mentioned his name, while addressing the destruction of some local government secretariats in the state by yet to be identified arsonists,.

TheNiche had earlier reported that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police opted out of Saturday’s local government election in Rivers State.

After the poll, the state’s electoral umpire announced that the Action People’s Party (APP), won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the oil-rich state, while the Action Alliance, AA, won a seat. 

Subsequently, Governor Fubara swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday.

However, some of the newly elected LG bosses were attacked upon assumption of duty on Monday, while some council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents.

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The burning of LG secretariats came shortly after the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats.

Reacting to the development, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to secure the local government secretariats in the state.

He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

While responding to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara said, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.

“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.”