The Rivers State Elders Forum has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to allow the State Governor to perform his duties.

The elders made this call on Monday, October 30, 2023 in a statement signed by Chief Henry Aguma, Chief Mike Lube, Ben Ikenza, Mazi Chituru, Tom Odum, Kinika Aholu and Emmanuel Owhurodu.

“The attention of the Rivers Elders Forum has been drawn to the skirmishes by some anti-democratic forces to throw Rivers State into political quagmire because of the refusal of His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, to mortgage the State.”

“We solidly stand by His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, in this hour of patriotism and statesmanship.

“We implore them to allow the excellency breath and to perform his duties without fear or intimidation.”

Trouble broke out in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital early Monday, October 30, 2023 after a fire incident destroyed the legislative chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly at about 10pm on Sunday, October 30, 2023.

Protests spread rapidly across the city with youths chanting solidarity songs in favour of the Governor and denouncing his erstwhile political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who is the FCT Minister.