Governor Fubara Condemns Burning of Rivers Council Secretariats, Blames Wike’s Loyalists

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• Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the burning of council secretariats, attributing the violence to supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
• He expressed sadness over the destruction of a legacy project and emphasised the need for responsible political behaviour among citizens.
• Fubara criticised the diversion of funds meant for community development to repairs, urging security agencies to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.

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Governor Fubara Condemns Burning of Rivers Council Secretariats, Blames Wike’s Loyalists

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has condemned the recent burning of council secretariats and public facilities across the state, calling the actions of the perpetrators irresponsible. He accused loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, of instigating the attacks.

During his visit to the Ikwerre Local Government Council Secretariat in Isiokpo, which was set ablaze by political thugs allegedly linked to Wike, Governor Fubara urged the people of Rivers State to engage in politics responsibly, emphasizing that violence and destruction of public properties serve no purpose.

“I feel very sad seeing what has just happened in this Council,” Fubara stated. “Play your politics with a sense of responsibility. We don’t need to kill ourselves or destroy government facilities built with taxpayers’ money.”

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Fubara’s visit to the scene followed his return from Akwa Ibom State, where he joined other South-South governors to sympathise with Governor Umo Eno over the passing of his wife. The Governor expressed his dismay at the destruction of the Secretariat, built by the immediate past chairman of the council as a legacy project.

He also expressed frustration over the conduct of political thugs who took advantage of the withdrawal of police from the premises to destroy the secretariats. This withdrawal, Fubara noted, was ordered by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun, allowing newly elected council chairmen to resume office following the recent council polls.

Governor Fubara lamented that funds meant for development will now have to be diverted to repair the damaged facilities. He called on Rivers people to act responsibly, regardless of political provocations and urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

“We all know where this is coming from,” he added, referencing the violence. “This is not from my supporters. I leave it to the security agencies to do a thorough job and identify those behind these assaults on our democratic institutions.”