The crisis in Rivers State escalated over the tenure of 23 local government chairmen, with protesting youths loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara forcibly removing three chairmen who refused to vacate their offices. The tension led to clashes resulting in a policeman’s death at Eberi-Omuma. To restore order, the police took over the 23 council secretariats. The situation arose from the expiry of the chairmen’s three-year tenure, exacerbated by conflicting legal interpretations.
The stand-off between supporters of Governor Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike has further polarized the situation. Protesting youths occupied several local government secretariats, leading to confrontations with outgoing chairmen and security forces. The disputes highlight the power struggle at play, with tensions running high throughout the state.
Governor Fubara has vowed to uphold the law and maintain peace, despite facing opposition from various factions. The crisis underscores the political volatility in Rivers State, with the ramifications extending beyond local governance.