Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has fired back at President Bola Tinubu’s call for restraint, saying the ongoing crisis in the state is not complicated.
Fubara’s comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today program came after Tinubu’s statement on the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State, which specifically mentioned the governor.
Recall that violent clashes have rocked at least four local government areas, with buildings burned and gunfire erupting after police withdrew from securing the council secretariats.
The Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress had boycotted the election that produced the newly elected chairmen.
Fubara insisted the issue is straightforward and well-known to Nigerians and Rivers State residents. He emphasized the problem lies with external forces, not him.
“The issue is very simple,” Fubara said, calling for security to be provided to elected officials.
The Action People’s Party swept 22 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance secured one seat.
Tinubu’s intervention has sparked debate, with Fubara’s response highlighting the complexities of Nigeria’s political landscape.
Reacting 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.”
