There is ongoing tension in Port-Harcourt, the River State capital as some youths allegedly took over all the Council Secretariats in the state and prevented Council Chairmen whose tenures in office had elapsed on June 17, 2024, from gaining entrance.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday directed all Heads of Local Government Administration, (HLGAs) in the state’s 23 local government areas to take charge of councils starting today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
This directive follows the expiration of the tenure of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA) Chairmen on Monday, June 17, 2024.
In a broadcast on Tuesday morning, Governor Fubara instructed the HLGAs to “immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together”.
Governor Fubara commended the outgoing LGA Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors for their dedicated service to their respective communities.
He congratulated them on the successful completion of their tenures and wished them well in their future endeavours.
However, after the directives, reports from various Local Government Areas in Rivers State indicate varying levels of tension, with some areas experiencing sporadic shootings while others remain peaceful.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, videos circulating on social media show security operatives attached to the former council chairman, Allwell Ihunda, firing sporadically after being chased by angry youths who claimed they were shot at directly by the police.
Similarly, at the Obio-Akpor Council Secretariat, an official vehicle belonging to the council chairman, George Ariorlu, was vandalised and posters were torn by individuals chanting both war and victory songs.
It was gathered that the two local government council chairmen were still within the council premises when the governor concluded his statewide broadcast.
This led to angry youths invading the areas to chase them away.
In Emohua Local Government Council, youths from various communities were seen chanting victory songs and jubilating over the chairman’s departure from office.
Youths have also taken over Eleme, Omuma, Ahoada East, Degema, Asari/Toru, Akuku/Toru, Onelga, Okrika, and Ogu/Bolo LGAs.
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