President Tinubu Orders Police to Secure Rivers LG Secretariats Amid Post-Election Violence.
President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria Police Force to immediately secure local government secretariats across Rivers State, following a series of violent unrests that erupted after the local government elections held on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
The directive comes after reports of arson and widespread violence, with multiple secretariats, including those in Ikwerre, Eleme, and Emohua local governments, set ablaze by groups protesting the election outcomes. Gunfire was also reported in Ahoada East, where resistance to the newly sworn-in officials escalated into chaos.
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In a statement released on Monday by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed grave concern over the destruction of public properties in the state. “The President is deeply troubled by the reports of arson and explosions in Rivers State following the local government elections,” Onanuga stated.
He added that Tinubu urged all political actors involved in the crisis to de-escalate tensions and dissuade their supporters from resorting to violence or the destruction of public institutions.
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“The President has called on the police to restore peace and protect public institutions, including local government secretariats built with public funds,” the statement read. Tinubu emphasized that “self-help has no place in a democracy,” urging political stakeholders to use legal channels for resolving electoral disputes rather than inciting violence.
The violent unrest erupted shortly after the Action People’s Party (APP) secured 22 of the 23 local government chairmanship positions, with the remaining seat going to the Action Alliance (AA). Despite heightened tensions, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara moved forward with the election, swearing in the new officials on Sunday. However, dissatisfaction over the election outcomes prompted political opponents to allegedly mobilize violent groups to resist the newly elected chairmen.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) had withdrawn from the election process, contributing to the controversy and tension surrounding the polls. Additionally, the unrest was exacerbated by the withdrawal of police personnel from council premises under directives issued by Rivers State Commissioner of Police Bala Mustapha, acting on instructions from Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
