Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has raised an alarm over purported plans by persons he did not identify to arrest his supporters. The governor has been battling with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
West Africa Weekly gathered that there was unrest in Port Harcourt, the state capital, over controversies that arose from the tenure of Local Government Chairmen in the states.
In a state-wide broadcast on Tuesday morning, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said the tenure of the elected Local Government Chairmen, Deputy Chairmen, and Councilors elected and sworn in three years ago expired on Monday, June 17.
“Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) are at this moment directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together,” Fubara said.
Meanwhile, the governor called for a State Security Council meeting with heads of security agencies at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
After the security meeting, the governor vowed to protect his supporters and preserve the peace of the state.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara said, “Let me also say this: I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters.
“This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Instead, they are standing on the side of truth.
“If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course.”
Fubara explained that the State Security Council meeting was convened due to alleged invasions of council secretariats in the state.
The governor blamed an unnamed “enemy” for the rising tension in the state. It is believed that this is part of his imbroglio with Wike.
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