Caught in the Crossfire: Political Turmoil in Rivers State Leaves Citizens at Risk
Political clashes in Rivers State intensified, resulting in violence and putting citizens at risk. As Governor Fubara calls for responsible political conduct, President Tinubu urges restraint and lawfulness in a bid to secure peace.
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The Rivers State's current problem exemplifies the adage "when two elephants fight, the grasses suffer," since the escalation has been witnessed to affect citizens.
Following recent attacks on three local government secretariats, including arson in Ikwere Local Government, an explosion in Eleme Council Secretariat, and an attempted takeover in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni councils, Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State, has urged the people of the state to conduct their political affairs responsibly.
He argued that politics should not descend into killings and destruction of government facilities.
Following the outbreak of violence in Rivers State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and other security agencies to secure the 23 local government areas.
The president then admonished Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other state stakeholders with exercising restraint and upholding the rule of law. However, this did not sit well with the Governor, who voiced his displeasure at being singled out in the President's address on the destruction of local government secretariats in Rivers State.
Fubara said regarding the president’s intervention “I do not have any issue with it, 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.”
According to the Daily Post, APC's Tonye Cole stated that only four people can fix Rivers' political crisis: His Excellency ex-Governor Peter Odili, who is the father of this political dynamic, His Excellency Rotimi Amaechi, Nyesom Wike, and Siminalayi Fubara. “President Bola Tinubu can then superintend the meeting if he really wants peace in Rivers State," he said, stating that there will be no peace till then.
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