From Tony John, Port Harcourt
A group, Rivers Leaders Forum (RLF) has denied the allegation by Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that protesters loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were responsible for the explosion that occurred around Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt last Tuesday.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the former lawmaker representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Olaka Nwogu, described the allegations as, ‘misinformation’ and ‘deliberate efforts to undermine the state’s peace and security.
Briefing journalists in Port Harcourt, the forum explained that a peaceful march was held in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to show solidarity with former Governor Wike and expressed gratitude to the police for maintaining peace despite provocative actions by the governor.
The group insisted that the peaceful march did not involve a failed attempt to blow up Hotel Presidential, as alleged by the governor.
The group accused Fubara of perpetuating a pattern of misinformation and urged the public to disregard his claims, saying that the peaceful march was a demonstration of support for Wike and a testament to his successful tenure as governor.
“To be clear on the matter of the explosion at Hotel Presidential, there was no incident at the hotel associated with the Peace March, as the routes for the march are completely different from the location of Hotel Presidential,” Dr. Nwogu
He highlighted the inconsistencies in Governor Fubara’s claims, stating that the peaceful walk in question had a distinct route, starting from Rumueme Civic Centre along Ikwerre Road and ending at People’s Club premises along Rumuola-Rumuadolu Road in the state capital.
He emphasized that the route did not come close to Hotel Presidential, which is located along Port Harcourt/Aba Express Road, contrary to the governor’s allegations.