Chaos has erupted in several local government councils in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenure of the erstwhile chairmen. Irate youths, making good on their threats, seized control of council headquarters.
Several of the chairmen, elected during the time of former governor Nyesom Wike, and reportedly still loyal to him, were chased away from their offices amid sounds of gunshots.
Reports suggest police and other security operatives have intervened, but it’s unclear which side of the dispute they’re on. Nigeria’s security services are under the federal government’s control, and Mr. Wike now serves at the federal level as the powerful minister of Nigeria’s capital territory, Abuja.
But the youths claim they’re working with the state government.
Militant Asabuja Speaks Again
A supposed militant named Geb Asabuja had threatened to storm all LGA offices on Wednesday in support of the state government to “fight crime,” but he seems to have preemptively struck on Tuesday instead.
In a new trending video, Asabuja warns that “Wike’s time is over” and urging his men to move on.
Origin of Crisis
The pandemonium started when Governor Sim Fubara issued an order demanding all Local Government Chairmen step down when their terms expired by June 17th.
In a brief broadcast, Tuesday morning, Governor Fubara directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take over direct administration of the councils. He expressed gratitude to the departing LGA Chairmen for their service.
Nonetheless, the chairmen had threatened to defy the governor of the state. Mr. Samuel Nwanosike of Ikwerre LGA, claim they are awaiting judgment over the matter from the Court of Appeal.
In the continuing commotion, billboards of former Governor Nyesom Wike were seen being torn down, and statutes of the former “emperor”—as some humorously call him—in his home Obio Akpor LGA were destroyed. The show of people’s power reminiscent of the catastrophic fall from power of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussien in 1991.
One Rivers state youth gave his take on the crisis in his home state, “Interesting times. During last week’s visit for monthly clean up, I noticed Wike’s posters everywhere and thought Governor Fubara was remarkably patient in allowing them to remain. I admire his respectful and loyal approach, but he firmly upholds his authority. The people of Rivers State stand to benefit greatly from his leadership. I already hold him in high regard“.
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