Two persons were feared dead yesterday in Rivers State as youths besieged the headquarters of many local government areas, following the expiration of the tenure of chairmen of the 23 LGAs in the state.
This is coming as the state governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, thanked the ex-chairmen for their service and directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 LGAs to take charge of the administration in their various LGAs.
Fubara also assured residents that he will fearlessly lead the way to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state, while also protecting all patriotic supporters for standing on the path of truth.
Reacting to the crisis in the state, elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, blamed former Governor Nyesom Wike for the precarious situation in the state, insisting that “Godfatherism must die in Rivers.”
Police confirm killing of cop, vigilante member in Rivers LGA crisis
Meanwhile, the Police in Rivers State last night confirmed that two people were killed yesterday.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, who confirmed this in Port Harcourt, said investigation into the killings has commenced.
Iringe-Koko said: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various local government council secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of local council chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 council secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.
Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”
The political tension in Rivers had heightened on Monday as some of the 23 ex-local council chairmen vowed to remain in office, citing an amended local government council law by the embattled 27 lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, which empowered them to remain in office for six months after the expiration of their tenure.
Although the law had been repealed by the State High Court, some of the ex-chairmen threatened to remain in office, raising tension of a likely breakdown of law and order.
To forestall the anticipated breakdown of law and order, Governor Fubara in an early morning broadcast yesterday, thanked the ex-chairmen for their service and directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 LGAs to take charge of the administration in their various domains.
He said: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours……..”
“Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”
Youths protest, take over LG secretariats
Despite the governor’s broadcast, some of the ex-council chairmen were reported to have attempted to resume work at their council secretariats but were chased out by youths.
At the Port Harcourt City LGA Council Secretariat, the ex-chairman, Ihundah, was reported to have tried to gain access to the secretariat with his retinue of security personnel but was prevented by youths who invaded the council .
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Despite sporadic gunshots by the security personnel, the youths stood their ground. It was also learned that there were shootings at Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme, Khana and Omuma LGAs by unidentified persons.
At Eleme Local Government Area, youths occupied the council secretariat, stating that the governor was the only authority they knew.
The youths reportedly chased away all council officials who were opposed to the directive issued by the governor.
In their hundreds, the youths moved round the council premises, stating that they would not allow anyone to take away what belonged to the council.
Protesting youths pull down Wike’s statue
At Obio/Akpor the LGA, the protesting youths pulled down the statue of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The angry youths also pulled down billboards and banners that had the image of Wike and the outgone Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Barr. George Ariolu, within the council premises.
In a viral video sighted by our correspondents, youths were seen struggling to drag the statue down.
Some of the protesters who trooped into the secretariat, joined forces and pulled the statue from its base, stating that the minister was no longer needed there.
