Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has condemned the recent destruction of local government council facilities in the state, urging the people of Rivers to approach politics with a sense of responsibility. He emphasized that political disputes should never escalate into violence or result in the destruction of public properties built with taxpayer money.
Governor Fubara made these remarks following his visit to the Ikwerre Local Government Council Secretariat in Isiokpo, which had been set ablaze by political thugs. The governor was visibly saddened by the incident and expressed his disappointment over the damage caused. “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,” he stated.
He further questioned the rationale behind the destruction of the council secretariat, which was built as a legacy project by the immediate past chairman of the local government. “This council secretariat was built by the immediate past chairman, and for me, we know the history of this council, how he sought funds, and how it was executed. This is supposed to be a legacy project for him, that whoever is going to come after now will continue to remember that at a certain time, certain persons built this for the LGA,” Fubara explained. “But, look at what we are seeing here today. Must we go low in politics?”
The governor expressed regret that the damage, which was inflicted during the withdrawal of police forces by the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had been exploited by enemies of the state. Fubara revealed that political thugs had used this opportunity to cause havoc. “There was an election on Saturday, and 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 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,” he said.
Governor Fubara pointed out that this destruction would now divert funds that could have been used for development to instead repair the damages. “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 acting as irresponsible people?” Fubara asked, condemning the reckless behavior of those responsible.
He also noted that the destruction of government property was not the work of his supporters. “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 said, urging security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Fubara’s visit came after his trip to Akwa Ibom State, where he had joined other South-South Governors in mourning the death of Pastor Patience Umo Eno, wife of Governor Umo Eno.
