President Bola Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Police Force to secure local government secretariats in Rivers State following a series of attacks and arson allegedly carried out by aggrieved hoodlums in response to the outcome of the Saturday local government elections. The announcement was made in a statement on Monday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.

“In response to recent tensions following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state,” Onanuga said. President Tinubu urged all political stakeholders to de-escalate the situation and discourage supporters from engaging in violence or destruction.

The President ordered the police to “restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately,” with an emphasis on safeguarding public institutions. Tinubu underscored that self-help has no place in a democratic system and stressed that all political disputes should be settled by the judiciary, especially after 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

Violent clashes have erupted in at least four local government areas across the state, with secretariats in Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua being set ablaze. In Ahoada East, gunshots were reported as resistance to the newly elected council officials grew. The unrest followed the withdrawal of police officers who were previously stationed to secure the 23 council secretariats, an action taken by the state’s commissioner of police.

Despite boycotts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the police, Governor Siminalayi Fubara insisted the elections proceed on Saturday. The local government polls concluded amid heightened tensions, resulting in the Action People’s Party (APP) winning 22 of the 23 chairmanship positions, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one seat.

Following the elections, Governor Fubara swore in the 23 newly elected local government chairmen on Sunday. However, some of the chairmen faced attacks as they assumed office on Monday, and several council secretariats were set ablaze by political opponents.

President Tinubu’s directive comes as part of efforts to ensure the security of government facilities and maintain peace in Rivers State amid the political unrest that followed the local government elections.