The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s mention of his (Fubara’s) name in a statement on the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.
It would be recalled that violent clashes broke out in at least four local government areas, with secretariats in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua set ablaze, while gunshots were fired in Ahoada East on Monday to resist newly elected council officials.
It was also reported that President Bola Tinubu weighed in on the crisis rocking Rivers State.
He had urged for restraint from Fubara and other political actors, while calling on the police to secure local government offices in the state.
This was communicated in a statement signed by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.” the statement had read in part.
Speaking on Channels TV on Monday, Fubara reacted to Tinubu’s statement, saying, “I do not have any issue with it (the President’s intervention) but I am a bit concerned when my name was only mentioned.”
He added, “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.”
The governor also commented on the role of the police, saying, “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.”
He concluded, “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.”