October 07, (THEWILL) – President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to immediately restore and maintain peace, law, and order in all local government secretariat in Rivers State.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, conveyed the directives in a statement on Monday, in response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council elections.
THEWILL reports that violence broke out in some secretariats in the State on Monday, as supporters of former council chairmen loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, set ablaze Ikwerre and Eleme Local Government Council Secretariats.
President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the 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.
The President called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders and their supporters in Rivers State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
“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,” he said.
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.
