LG election: Timi Frank urges Rivers’ people to stand by Governor Fubara

***Warns IGP Egbetokun not to cause anarchy in Rivers

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, on Friday, called on the people of Rivers State to stand firmly behind Governor Siminilaye Fubara to enable the the state conduct a free, fair and credible Local government elections.

Frank who made the call in a statement in Abuja however warned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, not to use his men to cause anarchy in their state.

He decried the conduct of the police which he described as partisan and called on the international community to hold Egbetokun responsible for any killings destruction of property as the people of the state vote to elect their council chairman on Saturday.

He also warned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who has boasted that he will do anything at all cost to set fire in Rivers state.

Frank said: “The involvement of the Police in Rivers is to destabilise the state and cause unrest during the forthcoming local government elections on Saturday.

“They are relying on illegal instructions given to them by Wike to stop a lawful democratic process in Rivers state.

“From intelligence at our disposal, Wike is boasting that the President has given him the authority to do and undo in Rivers State
and that is why he has engineered the police to engage in illegality by attempting to stop an election meant to usher in a democratically elected local government council administration in the state as ordered by the Supreme Court.

“Besides, Wike has told some persons that he will do everything to scuttle the local government election and ensure that they impose their people to take over the state by force because he allegedly has the backing of the President to take over the state considered to be
strategic to the President’s
plan to win the 2027 presidential election.

“The President is silent today about the illegality and wickedness Wike is orchestrating against Fubara and the people of Rivers state because the crisis is benefiting him, but he will be help liable ultimately for any breakdown of law and order in the state as the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

“They have turned Rivers into a theatre to flex federal might and make it a battleground but they must allow the electoral process to be free and fair because it is clear to all that Fubara has the full support of the Rivers’ people.”

According to him, under Wike as the governor of Rivers State, those who fought him were banned from coming to Rivers State to carry out their lawful activities.

“Therefore, it is time for Fubara to take charge and ensure that Rivers State becomes a no go area for all those fighting him politically,” he said.

He lamented that the Nigeria police meant to provide security for the people of Rivers state are only concerned about the political interests and security of Wike.

He called on the international community to note the involvement of the police in foisting illegality in Rivers State on the orders of the Inspector General of Police.

He warned that if the crises now being fanned by the police do occur it would have negative consequences for the people of Rivers state and the economy of the country in view of the level of oil production which is a critical revenue earner for the Federal Government.

END

Signed

Comrade Timi Frank
ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East.