After the Assembly Complex Was Burned,We Woke Up to Gov Fubara Being Sprayed With Tear Gas-Briggs

Human rights activist and Rivers State elder Ann-Kio Briggs has said public support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara grew after the dramatic events that followed the burning of part of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, describing the incident as a turning point in the state’s political crisis.

Speaking during an interview on News Central TV on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Briggs reflected on the prolonged political standoff in Rivers State and how residents became actively involved as tensions escalated between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to Briggs, the confrontation moved beyond political elites after scenes emerged of the governor’s encounter with security personnel during the crisis.

“We woke up one morning after the burning of the State House of Assembly complex, and we saw Governor Siminalayi Fubara with policemen. We saw that the governor was being pelted with water and tear gas. It was from that position that Rivers people took sides and got involved,” she said.

Briggs argued that the incident prompted many residents to openly align themselves with one side of the political dispute, stressing that Rivers people had every right to participate in a matter that directly affected the leadership of their state.

She maintained that Governor Fubara remains the duly elected governor of Rivers State despite his recent decision to join the Rainbow Coalition, describing the coalition as a political movement rather than a registered political party.

The activist said her position throughout the crisis has remained guided by what she believes is fair and just for Rivers people. While acknowledging that politicians are free to make political choices and alliances, she insisted that citizens also have the right to evaluate those decisions based on whether they advance the interests of the state.

Briggs added that the political crisis should serve as a reminder that governance must remain focused on the welfare of Rivers residents rather than the interests of political actors…See_More