The Rivers Leaders Forum (RLF) has contested Governor Siminialayi Fubara’s claims regarding an alleged explosion near the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt during a protest by supporters of Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The RLF stated that there were no explosions during the protest, which began at Rumeme Civic Centre on Ikwerre Road and ended at Peoples Club on Rumuola Road, without reaching the Presidential Hotel, as reported by Vanguard.
Comprising former national and state assembly members, the forum accused the governor of misleading the public by asserting that protesters attempted to bomb the Presidential Hotel. They described this statement as a deliberate attempt to undermine the state's peace and security.
Former Senator Olaka Nwogu, who represented Rivers South-East Senatorial District, criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly spreading misinformation and urged the public to disregard his claims.
Nwogu further stated that only the Governor and the Rivers State Government knew about the presence of Senators in the state and insinuated that the governor’s team might have planted a "fake explosive" to create a false alarm.
He said: “It’s only the Governor and Rivers State Government that knew that there were Senators (guest) in Rivers State and we believe he and his team went ahead and planted a “fake explosive” detonator to act drama in other to cry wolf.
“We ask if the Governor or His Commissioner for Health the Police Detectives? or any other security agent that they are the only people that heard an explosion and also arrested the so-called culprit at Rivers State Government-owned hospital. Please let the Police do their job.”