According to the report from the Vanguard, The Rivers Leaders Forum (RLF) has strongly disputed Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara's statements regarding an alleged explosion near the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt. This incident supposedly occurred during a protest organized by supporters of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The RLF emphasized that there were no explosions during the protest. According to the forum, the protest commenced at Rumeme Civic Centre on Ikwerre Road and concluded at Peoples Club on Rumuola Road, never approaching the Presidential Hotel.
Comprising former national and state assembly members, the forum accused the governor of spreading misinformation. They asserted that his claims about the protesters attempting to bomb the Presidential Hotel were "a deliberate attempt to undermine the state’s peace and security."
Senator Olaka Nwogu, a former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District, accused Governor Fubara of consistently misleading the public. He urged the public to disregard the governor's claims.
Nwogu clarified, “A peaceful march was held in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to show solidarity with former Governor Nyesom Wike and express gratitude to the police for maintaining peace despite provocative actions by Governor Fubara."
He insisted, "The march did not involve a failed attempt to blow up Hotel Presidential, as alleged by the governor."
Nwogu stressed that the peaceful march was a demonstration of support for Wike and a testament to his successful tenure as governor. He added, "These allegations, once again, are consistent with a pattern of misinformation and deliberate efforts by H.E. Sim Fubara to undermine the peace and security of the state under his watch."
Addressing the purported explosion, Nwogu stated, "To be clear, there was no incident at the hotel associated with the Peace March. The routes for the march are completely different from the location of Hotel Presidential."
Nwogu highlighted the inconsistencies in Governor Fubara’s claims, noting that the peaceful walk had a distinct route, starting from Rumueme Civic Centre along Ikwerre Road and ending at Peoples Club premises along Rumuola-Rumuadolu Road.
He questioned, "It’s only the Governor and Rivers State Government that knew there were Senators (guests) in Rivers State. We believe he and his team went ahead and planted a 'fake explosive' detonator to act out a drama in order to cry wolf."
Nwogu concluded by questioning the governor’s actions: "We ask if the Governor or his Commissioner for Health are Police Detectives or any other security agents? They are the only people that heard an explosion and also arrested the so-called culprit at a Rivers State Government-owned hospital. Please let the Police do their job."