Tinubu orders police to end Rivers post-election violence.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave marching orders yesterday to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to immediately restore peace, law and order in Rivers State.

The directive followed the arson and explosions recorded in some local government secretariats.

On Sunday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated 23 council chairmen announced as winners in Saturday’s election.

Ahead of their resumption in office yesterday, the police which had since July sealed the council secretariats, unsealed them to allow the chairmen to move into office.

Violence and explosions soon broke out in many of the local government secretariats.

Four of the councils—Ikwerre, Isiokpo, Emohua, and Eleme — had their secretariats torched. There were heavy gunshots.

In Khana LGA, one person was feared dead. 

Obio-Akpor, Oyigbo, Ahaoda East, and Ogu Bolu also had their fair share of gunshots.

Twenty-two of those inaugurated as chairmen were elected on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP). Only one was elected on the Action Alliance (AA) platform.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fubara’s party, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not participate in the election.

Many of their supporters protested in various parts of the state on election day.

Fubara on Sunday alleged a plot to prevent the 23 new chairmen from gaining access to the council secretariats.

President Tinubu warned against self-help.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reads: “President Bola Tinubu has called on Governor Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.  

“In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.

“He urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. 

“President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately. 

“While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions.

“President Tinubu said government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism.

“He stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy. 

“According to President Tinubu, the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.”

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Bala Mustapha, said Egbetokun ordered the withdrawal of policemen from the council secretariats “to ’ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions.’’

Bala assured that the police command would do its utmost best to maintain peace and order across the state.

He consequently urged residents, and political leaders to ‘’remain calm and law-abiding as the situation’’ evolves.

In another statement by Force Spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,  Egbetokun condemned the violent confrontations and attacks at the local government secretariats. 

The IGP, who directed the new CP to restore law and order in the state, faulted Fubara’s outburst over the role of the police in the state’s political crisis.

Adejobi’s statement partly reads: “The Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the state and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.

“The IGP however condemns the spate of violent confrontations and attacks at some local government secretariats leading to destruction of government facilities in the state, immediately after the unsealing of the secretariats.

“He has promptly tasked the CP to rise to the occasion and restore law and order in the state.

‘’The IGP emphasises the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace, unity, and progress across the nation.”

Arsonists and gunmen resisted attempts by the new council chairmen to enter the secretariats. 

In some of the councils, the protesters barricaded the secretariats before the elected chairmen arrived. 

At the secretariats of four of the councils – Ikwerre, Isiokpo, Emohua, and Eleme —arson, explosions, and gunshots were seen and heard. 

The Eleme Local Government Area was the first to go up in flames after explosives were thrown into the secretariat by unknown persons.

A significant section of the secretariat was in rubble while vehicles and other valuables were razed. 

The council’s new chairman, Brain Gokpa, in company with some councillors and supporters, arrived at the secretariat only to see some buildings in the complex on fire.

The Ikwerre Local Government Area was perhaps the worst hit by the violence as two rival political groups clashed, setting the newly built secretariat building ablaze.

In the Emohua LGA secretariat, a huge fire engulfed the security post and a transformer that serves the complex.

This was after hundreds of youths, who took over the secretariat in protest against the election, started dispersing.

Singing solidarity songs, the youths claimed that an unknown APP could not possibly win in the councils.

They barricaded the main entrance to the secretariat, saying they would not allow the new chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.

The youths said they only recognised Dr. Chidi Lloyd as the duly elected chairman.

Chairman of the  PDP in the council, Morrison Jim, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

He said despite not participating in Saturday’s election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.

“We respect the legal process and have chosen to abide by the court’s decision.

Our focus remains on serving the people and promoting the well-being of our good people of Emolga,” Jim said.

There were also gunshots at the Isiokpo council secretariat and areas nearby.

Most of the newly renovated two-storey council secretariat, including the Executive Chamber, was left in rubble.

In Obio-Akpor, there were sustained heavy gunshots by unknown persons who surrounded the premises.

Some people in the council were said to have been held hostage for hours.

Some armed policemen were seen trying to confront the gunmen and stabilise the council.

At least one person was feared dead following shootings in Bori in Khana Local Government Area.

It was gathered that the incident was part of the violent protests spreading in the state against the local government election and its outcome.

A source told BatVanguard that the gunshots near Bori caused many residents to scamper for safety.

“The gunshots were near Bori but I can’t say exactly where. A young man was shot and people started running. The man was rushed to the hospital,” he said.

In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, protesters reportedly invaded the council headquarters in Omoku, refusing the newly sworn-in chairman to resume office.

Oyigbo, Ahoada East, Ogu Bolu, and others also witnessed their fair share of protests and gunshots.

However, some secretariats, particularly those in riverine areas, were said to be peaceful. Their chairmen were in their offices and inaugurated councillors.

For instance, in Port Harcourt City Council, there were no reports of violence and protest as the chairman also inaugurated the councillors. 

The new Mayor of Port Harcourt City Council,  Ezebunwo Ichemati, immediately dissolved the 7th Legislative Assembly and inaugurated the 8th Assembly. The members later elected the principal officers.

Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area was also peaceful.

Its new Chairman Enyiada Cookey-Gam inaugurated the Vice-Chairman Beauty Simon and proceeded to inaugurate the legislative arm.

Fubara later rode into the Ikwerre secretariat to assess the damage done by the arsonists.

Accompanied by a heavy security team, he described the actions of the protesters as irresponsible.

He said the hoodlums took advantage of the withdrawal of security agents from the secretariat to vent their anger. 

Cautioning the people, the governor said: “Do your politics with a sense of responsibility. We don’t need to kill ourselves.

“Even if anyone advises you to destroy your property, you should think twice. We all know where this is coming from but we will allow security agencies to do their investigations.”

Arson on public buildings has often been used to settle political scores in Rivers State.

The state House of Assembly complex was set on fire at the onset of the political crisis in the state when the majority of the lawmakers threatened Fubara with impeachment.

The complex has not been rebuilt.

Prominent PDP leaders yesterday rallied support for Governor Fubara.

Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed hailed Fubara for his “courage”, describing him “as a democrat”.

Clark hailed President Tinubu and the Rivers governor over the peaceful conclusion of the polls.

Clark said in a statement that the outcome of the poll, despite its boycott by the ruling party and the main opposition parties, was an achievement for Fubara.

Mohammed described Fubara as a true democrat, who conducted a successful poll.

Muhammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, attended the inauguration of the council chairmen.

He said in a statement: “He didn’t have a structure of the PDP in the state for certain reasons and he had to go out to make sure that he allowed other parties to participate within the political space so that there won’t be any vacuum.

“I think this is auspicious and creative, and I am very proud of him. Yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to run away from this.”

The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide urged President Tinubu to pay close attention to political developments in Rivers to avert the breakdown of law and order.

INC President Prof. Benjamin Okaba said in a statement in Abuja that the political tension in the state was capable of breaching public peace.

George advised the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Fubara to work.

George, a PDP Board of Trustees (BOT) member, also called on President Tinubu to advise Wike to end the crisis.

He said: “This is the time for former governor of the state and now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to allow Gov. Siminalayi Fubara to work and deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

“This is also the time for President Tinubu to advise Wike, who is one of his ministers, to allow the governor to work.”