- President Bola Tinubu urges Rivers State political leaders to resolve disputes legally amid rising violence
- The Action People’s Party (APP) wins 314 out of 319 councillorship seats, sparking allegations of election misconduct from opposing parties
- Tinubu directs police to secure public facilities and restore order following reports of vandalism and unrest
President Bola Tinubu has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara and political leaders in Rivers State to exercise restraint and resolve their disputes through the judiciary, following alarming reports of violence and vandalism in the wake of local government elections.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy on Monday, October 7, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed that “self-help has no place in a democratic system,” urging all political actors and their supporters to respect the rule of law. His comments came amid reports of arson and destruction of public facilities after last Saturday's elections.
The president directed law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of public property and maintain order in the state, noting the urgent need to “restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.”
The statement, titled “President Tinubu decries violence in Rivers, directs police to provide security to local government offices,” reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding public institutions.
In the recent local government elections, the Action People’s Party (APP) emerged victorious, securing 314 out of 319 councillorship seats across Rivers State's 23 local government areas. The results were announced by Justice Adolphus Enebeli, Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), on Sunday.
While the APP celebrated its sweeping victory, the factions of the Rivers State People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected the election's legitimacy, claiming that no election had taken place.
Governor Fubara, others chase police away from RISIEC office
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Armed police officers were chased away by a large crowd outside the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC) office.
Governor Similanya Fubara arrived on the scene, accusing the Inspector-General of Police of attempting to disrupt the local government elections.
