Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has condemned the burning of council secretariats and public facilities in the state. The governor described the actions as irresponsible and urged Rivers people to conduct their political activities with sense.
Governor Fubara visited the Ikwerre Local Government Council Secretariat in Isiokpo to assess the damage caused by suspected political thugs loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
He expressed sadness over the incident, questioning why facilities built with taxpayers’ money were being destroyed for political reasons, according to Independent.
The governor emphasized that politics should not degenerate into violence and destruction. He noted that funds meant for development will now be used to rehabilitate damaged councils, ultimately harming the people.
Governor Fubara attributed the attacks to Wike’s supporters and called on security agencies to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. The governor’s visit came after attending a condolence meeting with other South-South governors and members of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident occurred despite the Inspector General of Police’s directive to withdraw police personnel from council secretariats, allowing newly elected chairmen to assume office. Governor Fubara expressed disappointment that sponsored agents took advantage of the situation to unleash terror on the councils.
The governor advised Rivers people to act responsibly, even in the face of provocation. He emphasized that the business of politics should not lead to killings and destruction of government facilities.
He said, “I am just coming in from Akwa Ibom where the Governors of the South-South and also the Nigerian Governors’ Forum went to pay a condolence to our brother, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, who lost his wife. So, I said it will be proper to come and see for myself the incident that took place in Ikwerre Local Government Council Secretariat.
“I feel very sad seeing what has just happened in this Council. I want to say this to the entire Rivers State: If you are called upon, play your politics with a sense of responsibility. We don’t need to kill ourselves. My time will come, and I will leave; do I need to burn the Government House?
“This Council Secretariat was built by the immediate past chairman, and for me, we know the history of this council, how he sought for fund, and how it was executed. This is supposed to be a legacy project for him that whoever that is going to come after now will continue to remember that at a certain time, certain persons built this for the LGA. But, look at what we are seeing here today. Must we go low in politics?”
He continued, “There was an election on Saturday, the new Council Chairmen were inaugurated yesterday (Sunday). We are aware of the boasting that they would not be allowed to access the secretariats. And we were happy in the early hours of this morning when the Inspector General of Police (IGP) directed his men to vacate the premises for easy access for the newly elected officers to resume office; and immediately, they took advantage of that space to destroy government facilities.
“Who is the loser? The new Council Chairmen that are coming in, the funds that would be applied to other things would now be used to fix this place. Are we not really acting as irresponsible people? This is an act of responsibility! Even if one advices you to go and destroy a government facility, are you not supposed to think twice?
“We all know where this is coming from, that is the truth. Everybody knows that this is not from my supporters. But, I leave all to the security agencies to do a thorough work, and let us know the people that are behind this assault” on the institutions of democracy, he added.