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President Bola Tinubu has broken his silence on the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, calling on political stakeholders to exercise caution.
Tinubu has been silent about the Rivers situation since the intervention he made fell through last year.
The warring camps had returned to the battle field months after the president summoned stakeholders to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with a view to settling the dispute.
In a statement which Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, the president directed the police to maintain order and secure local government workers.
He also said issues arising from Saturday’s local government election could be resolved in court.
“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.”
At least three Local Government secretariats have been torched by suspected hoodlums in the last few hours.
Eleme, Ikwere and Emouha are among the secretariats that were destroyed by the hoodlums following the victory of Action Peoples Party (APP) in the LGA election.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is locked in a fierce battle with Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), had sworn in 23 Local Government Chairmen on Sunday.
Subsequently, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, relaxed the 3-month siege at the secretariats.
The IGP had deployed his men to the secretariats after supporters of Wike and Fubara clashed in June.
But after the policemen left, hoodlums trooped to various secretariats where supporters of the strongmen of Rivers politics clashed.
