Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has criticized President Bola Tinubu's recent order to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the crisis in Rivers State.

In response to the destruction of properties and loss of lives in the state, President Bola Tinubu, through his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, directed the police to secure the local government secretariats in the oil-rich state. The President also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders, and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

Fubara, a key figure in the conflict, expressed concern over the President singling out his name in the statement addressing the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Monday, October 7, Fubara shared his thoughts on

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.”

At least four local government areas — with parts of the buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council premises were set ablaze by rampaging political hoodlums, while gunshots were fired sporadically in Ahoada East to resist newly elected council officials on Monday.

The burning of LG secretariats followed the withdrawal of the police officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the police early Monday.

Though the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police opted out of the election that produced the newly elected LG chairmen, Fubara insisted that the election be held on Saturday.

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.