Two people 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 would 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, claiming that “Godfatherism must die in Rivers,” for the unstable condition of affairs.
Authorities attest to the deaths of a police officer and a vigilante in the Rivers LGA incident. In the meantime, two fatalities from yesterday were verified by Rivers State police Friday night.”A case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a police officer and a vigilante were killed,” stated Iringe-Koko, “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.
All 23 municipal secretariats as well as certain vital government facilities have been taken over by the police in an effort to stop more violence and a potential collapse of law and order.
These facilities now have both anti-riot and conventional police officers on duty.
The Command urges everyone to follow the law, but it also forbids anyone from planning to stir up trouble because we won’t think twice about applying the entire force of the law to them.
” We also want to respectfully request that law-abiding citizens and guests in the state proceed fearlessly about their legitimate business.
We are determined to uphold our constitutional obligation to safeguard people and property.
In an early-morning broadcast yesterday, Governor Fubara urged the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 LGAs to assume responsibility for the administration in their respective areas and thanked the outgoing chairs for their contribution.
In the name of the administration, “I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State,” he stated on behalf of the administration and the people of Rivers State. I’d like to thank each and every one of you for finishing your term with success, and I wish you luck in all of your future ambitions.
Some of the former council chairmen reportedly tried to return to their council secretariats after the governor’s broadcast, but were pushed out by young people.
The former chairman, Ihundah, reportedly attempted to enter the Port Harcourt City LGA Council Secretariat with his entourage of security guards, but was stopped by young people who broke into the council.Despite the security guards’ occasional gunshots, the young people maintained their ground.
Additionally, it was discovered that unknown individuals had shot at the LGAs of Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme, Khana, and Omuma.
Teenagers in Eleme Local Government Area took over the council secretariat, claiming that the governor was the only figurehead they were familiar with. All council members who disagreed with the governor’s directive were allegedly driven out by the teenagers.
Hundreds of young people demonstrated against the removal of Wike’s statue from the municipal grounds, declaring that they would not permit anyone to do so.
Chief Nyesom Wike’s statue was toppled by the protesting youths in Obio/Akpor, the LGA, and the Federal Capital Territory.
Additionally, the enraged youngsters tore down banners and billboards featuring images of President Wike and the late Barr. George Ariolu, the Chairman of the Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, inside the council chambers.
A viral video shows young people attempting to pull the statue down. Some of the demonstrators who poured into the secretariat banded together and, declaring that the minister was no longer required there, yanked the statue out from under its base.
Fubara calls a security meeting in case of an emergency. In response to rumours that certain former chairmen were threatening to make a comeback, Fubara called an emergency meeting yesterday and reaffirmed his pledge to defend state citizens.
“It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs about the invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate,” the governor said in a statement to reporters following the meeting.
Thus, the security council meeting has been called.
Thus, the necessary action will be taken. He pledged to lead with courage in order to maintain the state’s peace while simultaneously defending all advocates of patriotism for their commitment to the truth.
The governor declared that his government will do all it can to uphold peace and order in the state and that no great scheme to arrest any of his patriotic followers on false accusations will be allowed. Governor Fubara declared that the tenure of elected local government chairmen would not be extended. She clarified that the law was clear on this matter and added that the court had upheld the law’s position. I also know there’s a big plan in the works.