Premium News
RIVERS ON FIRE AS FUBARA’S SUPPORTERS GO ON RAMPAGE, CHASE AWAY COUNCIL CHAIRMEN, DESTROY WIKE’S STATUE IN OBIO AKPOR
Supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, have destroyed the statue of former Governor Nyesom Wike in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Wike’s hometown.
The development follows Fubara’s directive for Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume leadership of the 23 council areas, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
The crisis has its roots in a court ruling recognizing a three-man House of Assembly, which annulled the tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to Wike.
Despite the ruling, chairmen insisted on remaining in office for six more months.
In Ikwerre, Samuel Nwanosike, the immediate past Executive Chairman, defied Fubara’s directive and stormed the council secretariat.
Nwanosike, a close ally of Wike, accused Fubara of sponsoring insecurity in the state, claiming that the governor had armed youths who had attacked local government chairmen and police across the 23 council areas.
The situation across the state has more or less been the same, with youths laying siege on different Local Government Secretariats.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government Secretariat, heavy gunfire was heard, while one person was reported to have died leaving several other people with multiple injuries.
These happened when the chairman, Hon Allwell Ihundah, attempted to access his office.
The situation caused widespread tension, leading to temporary closures of businesses in the vicinity.
According to reports, Chairman Ihundah arrived at the council secretariat accompanied by his security personnel, only to be confronted by youths who had occupied the premises since Monday.
The unrest echoed similar incidents on Monday, where youths in Degema and Asari-Toru councils also demanded the departure of local officials from the secretariats.
Youths from Eleme Local Government Area have also taken over their Council Secretariat, affirming that the governor was the sole authority they recognize.
The group of youths gathered at the council secretariat following a directive from the governor through a statewide broadcast instructing Heads of Local Government Administration to assume leadership roles in all 23 LGAs in the state.
They proceeded to expel any individuals who opposed the governor’s directive.
During their demonstration, the youths reiterated that they were determined to prevent anyone from usurping the council’s assets.
One of the protesters, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized their commitment to ensuring compliance with the governor’s instructions.
He stated: “All of them have disappeared, because we have come to take over. The governor is the power that we know. We have taken over Eleme. It’s a complete takeover.”
“The governor is the ultimate authority we recognize; there is no other authority. We have assumed control of Eleme. Eleme is under our control. Their term has ended; they should leave,” the protester continued.
This display of support for the governor by the Eleme youths underscores their allegiance to the state leadership and their determination to uphold the directive issued.
Local government chairmen in Rivers State had refused to vacate their offices despite the expiration of their three-year tenure and their councillors on June 17.
The conflict began when a group of youths opposed the police’s efforts to take control of the building.
The youths reportedly supported by Fubara’s allies, faced off against police forces, with gunshots being fired. Video footage showed shell casings and captured the unarmed youths’ outrage at the police’s use of force.
