Rivers Crisis: Why Arsonists Attack LG Secretariats – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the recent attacks on local government secretariats in Rivers State to the refusal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to obey court judgments.

Wike, speaking during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, warned that disregarding court rulings could lead to lawlessness, chaos, and violent consequences, such as the recent arson incidents.

Osun Defender recalls that political tension in the state escalated on Monday, with fresh explosions and protests occurring in some local government secretariats.

The unrest was linked to a recent order by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which called for the unsealing of the 23 local governments and the immediate withdrawal of police officers who had been stationed there since July.

Despite the withdrawal of the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress and police from the recent LG election, Fubara insisted that elections must take place.

The elections were held amid heightened tensions, resulting in the Action People’s Party winning 22 out of 23 chairmanship positions while the Action Alliance secured one seat.

Fubara swiftly swore in the 23 newly elected chairmen on Sunday.

However, upon taking office on Monday, some faced violent attacks, and some council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents.

Following the violence,  President Bola Tinubu instructed the police to secure the local government secretariats across the state.

Speaking on the incident on Tuesday, Wike criticized Fubara for publicly declaring his refusal to comply with a court ruling, which Wike believes triggered the unrest.

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“When you fail to obey court judgments, you invite anarchy and violence,” Wike said. He emphasized that no leader should take the law into their own hands, warning that disobedience to the rule of law fosters a culture of impunity and could escalate the crisis in Rivers State.

Wike pointed to this violence as evidence of the dangerous consequences of defying the courts, calling for immediate adherence to the rule of law to restore peace and order in Rivers State.