Breaking: Tension as Rivers State LGA Succession Crisis Escalates as Youths Seize Control of Two Councils
Tension gripped the 23 local government areas of Rivers State on Monday as a succession crisis sparked fears of potential violence among residents.
At the Degema Local Government Area secretariat, youths blocked the main entrance, chanting in solidarity and demanding the resignation of Council Chairman Michael John Williams. They vowed to remain at the gate until Wednesday to prevent Williams and other officials from entering their offices, insisting that their three-year tenure ended on June 17 and that they should not be seen around the secretariat after the Sallah holiday.
A similar scene unfolded at the Asari-Toru Local Government Secretariat, where youths barricaded the gate to stop their LGA Chairman and others from accessing the area. In contrast, at the Port Harcourt City LGA, over four police patrol vans were stationed at the gate to maintain order.
Governor Siminialayi Fubara has reportedly sent a list of caretaker committees to the lawmakers led by factional Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo. Armed youths, suspected to be surveillance workers, were seen in a viral video patrolling the creeks of riverine local councils. An APC chieftain claimed that the Governor had submitted the names of the seven-member caretaker committees for each local government area to the Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers for screening.
In another viral video, an unidentified leader of the joint task force anti-bunkering South-South threatened action, stating he had returned home with half of his armed men to take over the 23 local government areas and escort the caretaker committees to their councils. He specifically targeted the outgoing Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike, who had vowed not to vacate his office after June 17.
“We are preparing to take over the local government areas on Wednesday,” he declared. “We will be escorting every local government caretaker. My job is to work for the government and fight crime. I am in charge of anti-bunkering South-South. I am back with half of my men, ready for Wednesday. The Chairman of Ikwerre should wait for me. If your head is hot, we will cool it with water so you learn to respect elders and authority, especially the number one citizen.”
More details to follow…
