President Bola Tinubu has recognised the recent local government elections in Rivers State while calling for peace and urging those dissatisfied with the results to seek legal redress.
Tinubu’s reaction came in the wake of violent protests and arson attacks on local government secretariats by persons dissatisfied with the outcome of the polls.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu condemned reports of violence and destruction of public property that have trailed the polls.
Tinubu noted that government facilities built with public funds must be protected from vandalism and directed the police to immediately restore order in the state.
Quoting Onanuga, “He (Tinubu) 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.”
Tinubu further called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara, political leaders, and their supporters to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
In the aftermath of the Rivers LG polls, suspected hoodlums set fire to sections of the Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre local government secretariats.
The attacks occurred after the swearing-in of newly elected local government chairpersons and councillors on Sunday.
The elections held on Saturday saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) win in 22 local government areas, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured victory in one.
The polls had been marred by controversy, including conflicting court orders and the withdrawal of police personnel from local government secretariats by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
Governor Fubara, while administering the oath of office to the new local government officials, had alleged plans by unnamed persons to attack the elected officials.
The crisis is being linked to the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the FCT minister and immediate past governor of the state.
Fubara had fallen out with Wike barely months after assuming office.