President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to protect local government secretariats in Rivers State against incursion by arsonists and vandals.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga made this known in a statement on Monday after rampaging hoodlums aggrieved with the outcome of Saturday’s Local Government poll burnt down some council secretariats in the oil-rich state.

The president also urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions.

The President stressed that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy, adding that the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.

Violent clashes erupted in at least four local government areas, with parts of council buildings set ablaze, while gunshots were fired sporadically in Ahoada East to resist the new council officials.