Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has accused supporters of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, of attempting to bomb a popular hotel in Port Harcourt to justify calls for a state of emergency.
Fubara made this claim while receiving a delegation of the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor alleged that the supporters tried to detonate explosives at Hotel Presidential on Tuesday, knowing that members of the National Assembly were guests there. He asserted that the plan was to create chaos and bolster the argument for a state of emergency in Rivers State. Fubara explained that the attempt failed when the explosive device detonated prematurely, injuring the person handling it.
“In fact, there was a plan to detonate dynamite at the Hotel Presidential because you people were there. But this God that we serve, it happened that the man who was trying to do it detonated it, but just a few seconds after, it blew his hands off,” Fubara stated.
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The governor emphasized that he was not fighting anyone but was merely defending the state against those who believed they had control over others’ lives. He urged his detractors to cease their actions, as their plans had failed.
Senator Kalu called for peace and urged Wike to instruct his supporters to stand down in the interest of the state. He commended Fubara for his peaceful demeanor and commitment to providing good governance.
Former APC publicity secretary in the state, Darlington Nwauju, condemned the attempted bombing as a deliberate effort to justify calls for a state of emergency. He criticized the reintroduction of guerrilla tactics into state politics and expressed concern over the safety and stability of Rivers State.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, also praised the state police command for ensuring tight security at local government secretariats, preventing further vandalism by hoodlums. NYCN leader Nwisabari Bani highlighted the importance of maintaining order and preventing violence in the state.
Fubara concluded by reiterating his commitment to defending the state and delivering good governance, while Kalu urged both parties to prioritize peace and the collective interest of Rivers State.
