Multiple local government council offices in Rivers State have been attacked and set ablaze, less than 24 hours after newly elected chairmen and councillors were sworn in by Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Sunday, October 6.
The incidents are suspected to be coordinated and potentially linked to the contentious local government elections held on Saturday.
The affected areas include Eleme and Ikwerre Local Government Areas, where sections of the secretariats were torched by unknown arsonists. In Emohua council, protesters barricaded the entrance to the secretariat, resisting the resumption of the new chairman, David Omereju.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing chants of “No Wike, No Rivers State!!” in Emohua, suggesting potential political motivations behind the protests.
The elections were seen as a decisive victory for Governor Fubara, who is locked in a power struggle with forces allegedly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, now a powerful minister in the federal government.
The lead-up to the elections was marred by controversies, including an explosive detonated at an APC factional office on Saturday. The APC has accused the state government of sponsoring protesters who vandalized their party secretariat.
A fatal shooting was reported in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, with one person feared dead, although it is unclear if the incident is directly linked to the post-election violence.
The Rivers State Police Command has yet to release an official statement on the situation. With tensions running high, there are concerns about potential outbreaks of violence in other parts of the state.
These incidents may be perceived as attempts to undermine the elected government’s capacity to maintain law and order. Some observers speculate they may be orchestrated to create an impression of instability, potentially leading to federal intervention.
This perspective suggests that the ultimate goal might be to justify the suspension of the state’s constitutionally elected governance, in favor of a federally-appointed administration, having lost out in the power play by the democratically-delivered victory to the governor in last weekend’s local council elections.
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