I Am Concerned Only My Name Was Mentioned – Fubara ‘Replies’ Tinubu Over Rivers State Crisis

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara stated on Monday, that he has no issues with President Bola Tinubu's intervention in the ongoing crisis rocking the state which has led to arson and destruction of some local government secretariats in the state.

He, however, expressed worries that President Tinubu singled out his name for mention while reacting to the crisis.

The Rivers State Governor was also quick to submit that he is not the cause of the problem in the state.

Recall that violent clashes erupted in some local government areas in Rivers State on Monday following the withdrawal of the officers securing the 23 council secretariats by the police early Monday and attempts by some newly-elected local government chairmen to resume duties.

Some council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents, while sporadic gunshots were reported in some other locations.

Reacting to the development, President Tinubu, in a statement on Monday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, ordered the police to secure the local government secretariats in the state and also called on Governor Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint.

Reacting to Tinubu’s statement on the crisis, Fubara, who spoke on Monday night during a Channels TV interview, said he is okay with the President’s intervention, but concerned that only his name was mentioned.

Fubara said it doesn’t take rocket science for anyone to know those behind the violence in Rivers State.

He added that the pulling out of the Police allowed hoodlums to take advantage of the situation.

In his words, “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.”