President Bola Tinubu has directed the Police to protect local government secretariats in Rivers State from attacks by arsonists and vandals.
The Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga announced this in a statement on Monday, following incidents where angry individuals, upset with the results of Saturday’s local government elections, set fire to several council secretariats in the oil-rich state.
The statement explained that the President was worried over the reports of arson and explosions in the state, urging all political leaders to help calm the situation and to discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive acts.
It noted that President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.
“While instructing law enforcement agencies to regain control of the situation, he stressed the importance of protecting public institutions.
President Tinubu emphasized that government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.”
The President underscored that self-help has no place in a democratic system, particularly after 25 years of continuous democracy.
According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can resolve all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no different.
Violent clashes broke out in at least four local government areas, with parts of buildings in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua council premises set on fire. At the same time, sporadic gunfire was reported in Ahoada East to protest against the new council officials.
The attacks on local government secretariats occurred after the police commissioner withdrew officers securing the 23 council secretariats.
Although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police opted out of the election that selected the new local government chairmen, Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted that the election proceed as planned on Saturday.
Following an election amidst heightened tension, the Action People’s Party (APP) secured 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the state, while the Action Alliance (AA) won one seat.
Fubara inaugurated the 23 newly elected local government chairmen in Rivers State on Sunday, but some of these officials faced attacks upon taking office on Monday, with several council secretariats set ablaze by political opponents
