President Tinubu Calls for Calm in Rivers State, Orders Police to Restore Security
President Bola Tinubu has addressed the escalating crisis in Rivers State, urging political leaders to exercise restraint amid rising tensions. His comments come after a period of silence following a failed intervention last year.
The conflict resurfaced months after President Tinubu previously convened stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to seek a resolution. In a statement released by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the president directed law enforcement to restore order and ensure the safety of local government workers.
Following the local government elections last Saturday, which were marred by reports of arson and explosions, President Tinubu expressed his deep concern. He called on all political players to de-escalate tensions and discourage their supporters from resorting to violence.
“The President instructed the police to act swiftly to maintain peace and order,” the statement read. “He highlighted the importance of protecting public institutions built with taxpayer money from vandalism and emphasized that self-help has no place in a democracy that has thrived for 25 years.”
Tinubu noted that the judiciary is the appropriate avenue for resolving political disputes, underscoring that the results of the recent elections should follow this legal path.
In recent hours, at least three local government secretariats—Eleme, Ikwere, and Emouha—were set ablaze by suspected criminals following the Action Peoples Party’s (APP) electoral victories. Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in 23 local government chairmen amid ongoing tensions with Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In response to the unrest, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had previously reinforced security at the secretariats after clashes erupted between supporters of Wike and Fubara in June. However, following the withdrawal of police forces, violence flared again as rival factions clashed at vario
us locations.
