Rivers LG crisis deepens, bloody as two feared dead
…Fubara summons security meeting, vows to subdue intimidation
…Reps demand treason trial for ex-LG chairmen, accuse them of forceful attempt to retain seats
…IPAC backs Fubara, commends HLGA takeover
…Focus on FCT duties, avoid Rivers politics — Edwin Clark to Wike
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The fracas that erupted following the exit of the 23 local government council chairmen in Rivers State has reached a frightening dimension, with two persons believed to be one police officer and a local vigilante personnel feared dead at Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The crisis follows the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen and ward councillors, sparking protests and tension across all 23 council areas.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, SP Grace Iringe-Koko when contacted confirmed the incident, pointing out that the Police is still investigating the cause of their death.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, protesters, mostly youths, had as early as 7am on Tuesday barricaded the entrance of the council, chanting war songs, indicating that the tenure of the former chairman and his team was over.
They were however confronted by the police officers who wanted to vacate them from the scene, but were met with stiff resistance.
The Police operatives later used teargas to disperse the irate protesters who became more aggressive.
Obio/Akpor the local government area of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike witnessed youth protesters destroying the statue of Wike in protest of his activities in breaching the peace in Rivers State.
The protesters were chanting “no more Wike” as they uprooted the statue and smashed it completely on the ground.
The Police despatched to the area, later took over the council, condoning the entire stretch of the road at Rumuodumaya, the Headquarters of Obio-Akpor LGA.
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area, the council of former Gov, Dr Peter Odili also witnessed youths taking over the council area. There was no reported incident there, as the protesters conducted themselves peacefully. The former chairman, Mr Job was nowhere to be found.
Eleme was a little bit rough, as youths broke into the premises, urging the former chairman, Obarilor Mate Ollor to appear since they said he threatened to send anybody that dares to force him out of office to his early grave.
Our Correspondent who monitored affairs, reported that there was no resistance from any quarter, as the protesters had a swell time out there.
There was no police presence as at the time of this report.
Ikwerre Local Government Area was another hot spot, where the former chairman, Samuel Nwaosike threatened fire and brimstone against any attempt to force him out of office. He was however sighted wearing a bulletproof vest and sitting quietly at one corner of the council and watching while his dynasty gradually collapsed.
There was no incident or resistance from any opposing camp.
Emohua- Council followed suit, as the former chairman and staunch ally of Wike was said to have left the Area to Abuja before Tuesday.
The protesters had a field day there unchallenged.
Bonny and Opobo-Nkoro local government areas were peaceful, as the former chairmen believed to be 100 percent loyal to Gov Siminalayi Fubara complied fully with his directives.
It is important to state that the Governor hails from Opobo-Nkoro LGA, which has affinity with Bonny.
Reacting to the development, the Rivers State Chairman of Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Sensei Solsuema Osaro commended the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for directing the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) across the 23 local government areas to take over leadership of the councils, pending the election of new chairmen or appointment of Caretaker Committees.
IPAC urged the HLGAs to prioritise the welfare of workers.
The Governor had earlier on Tuesday in his state broadcast directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 local councils to take over leadership of the councils, pending the election of new officers. He equally thanked the outgone chairmen and councillors for their services to the councils and wished them well in their future endeavours.
On the other hand, the Governor summoned a meeting of the State Security Council.
While addressing journalists, Fubara vowed that he would not tolerate any attempt by anyone to arrest or intimidate his supporters who stand by the truth.
The governor, who assured that he would be fearless in leading the way to ensure that peace continued to prevail in the State, stressed that no grand plan to arrest his patriotic supporters on trumped-up charges would be tolerated.
He stated that there is no extension of tenure of elected local government chairmen, adding that the law is unambiguous on it, clarifying that the court has also affirmed the position of the law.
Fubara said, “Let me also say this: I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, they are standing on the side of truth.
“If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course. Let me assure everyone, more especially, the great and peace- loving people of Rivers State: the law is the law. The law has said that there is no extension of tenure.
“The court said so, and whoever that is assuring anybody anywhere of whatever, I advise them to desist from it because peace is what we need in this State.
“It’s really unfortunate that we started hearing some disturbing news from some LGAs of invasion of council secretariats, and it is really unfortunate. So, we have called the Security Council Meeting so that the needful will be done.
“We are also aware that our enemy is also planning a lot of things. But we will not fall into that plot. We will not also allow him or them to destroy the peace that we are enjoying in the State.”
…Reps demand treason trial for ex-LG chairmen, accuse them of forceful attempt to retain seats
Furthermore, a group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives, known as G-60, has called for the trial of 23 former local government chairmen in Rivers State for alleged treason.
The chairmen, loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike, are accused of attempting to retain their seats forcefully after their constitutional three-year term expired.
Led by Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo State), the lawmakers demanded that the Rivers State government prepare treason charges against the former council bosses and their sponsors.
They claimed that the chairmen’s actions constituted a threat to democracy and the rule of law.
The press conference, held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, was attended by other lawmakers, including Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), and Midaila Usman (Borno).
The lawmakers accused the former council chairmen of breaching the provisions of section 37 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act, section 12 of the Criminal Procedure Code, section 23 of the Criminal Procedure Code and section 1 (2) of the constitution which frowns at anybody or group of persons that attempts to unlawfully occupy position of power in the country or forcefully attempt to take over government in any part of Nigeria.
This is as the lawmakers called on the judiciary to remain vigilant in curbing the activities of persons desperate to take over institutions of governance in Rivers State or any part of the country.
…Focus on FCT duties, avoid Rivers politics — Edwin Clark tells Wike
Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and a respected leader in the South-South region, has advised Minister Nyesom Wike to prioritise his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and avoid interfering in political matters in Rivers State.
Clark urged Wike to concentrate on his duties in the nation’s capital and avoid meddling in Rivers State politics.
During an interview with African Independent Television (AIT), which was part of the commemorations of his 97th birthday and a documentary celebrating his life and achievements, Clark accused former Rivers State Governor and immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and his successors of fueling what he described as “politics of madness” in Rivers State.
The elder statesman, who also leads the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Southern and Middle-Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), emphasised the need to abolish godfatherism in Nigeria’s political scene.
He argued that the practice undermines the development and growth of democracy in the country. Clark expressed his disapproval of the prevalent political dynamics in Rivers State, highlighting the detrimental impact of personal ego clashes on state governance.
On the lack of efforts to reconcile Wike and the current Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, Clark questioned whether their issues warranted mediation, pointing out that the underlying conflict stems from egocentric motivations rather than genuine political disagreements.
He detailed the problematic nature of political relationships where one party feels beholden to another, even though Fubara acknowledged Wike’s role in his political ascent.
Despite his strong opinions on the matter, Clark clarified his non-partisan stance toward Governor Fubara, admitting that he had never met him personally and was unfamiliar with even his physical appearance.
