Following a significant breakdown of law and order at local government secretariats across Rivers State, the police have taken control of all 23 councils and critical government infrastructure. The measure, announced on Wednesday, aims to restore peace after violent clashes resulted in the deaths of a police officer and a local security guard in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma Local Government Area.
The unrest erupted after the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State expired. Youths, aiming to prevent outgoing council leaders from accessing their offices, occupied the secretariats. At the Obio-Akpor local government secretariat, demonstrators pulled down an image of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a former council chairman, in a symbolic act of protest.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara, addressing the state, vowed to restore peace and resist the arrest of his supporters amid the ongoing political tension with his predecessor, Wike. The police, in a statement by Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko, highlighted the need for intervention to prevent further violence and secure government assets.
“Following the breakdown of law and order in various local government council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of two political factions clashed, we have taken decisive action to prevent more bloodshed and further deterioration of security,” the police statement read. “Conventional and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.”
The police urged all parties to remain law-abiding and warned potential troublemakers of severe consequences. Meanwhile, local residents are encouraged to continue their daily activities without fear.
The crisis has roots in the contentious expiration of local government chairmen’s tenure. Governor Fubara dissolved the councils, citing constitutional provisions, and instructed heads of administration to take over council affairs. However, the outgoing chairmen, supported by a law extending their terms passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly, have refused to leave office.
Tensions escalated further with violent confrontations at various secretariats. In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, heavy gunfire and teargas were reported as youths blocked the outgoing chairman, Allwell Ihunda, from entering the premises. In Eleme, youths enforced the governor’s directive, ensuring council officials vacated their offices.
Fubara, following a state security council meeting, reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining peace and lawfulness. He emphasized that the law clearly states the tenure has ended, a position supported by court rulings.
Former Niger Delta agitator, Asari Dokubo, called for a peaceful transition, urging the outgoing chairmen to step down and avoid further conflict. Dokubo emphasized the importance of adhering to the 2018 local government law and praised the governor’s inclusive leadership approach.
As the situation unfolds, opposition members of the House of Representatives condemned the attempts by former chairmen to retain power as treasonous. Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere commended the public for thwarting the unlawful seizure of government offices and stressed the legal repercussions of such actions.
The political turmoil in Rivers State remains a critical issue, with both sides entrenched in their positions. The police’s takeover of the secretariats is a temporary measure aimed at stabilizing the situation as the state navigates this period of uncertainty.
