Jonathan Nwokpor
Different Rivers State Local Government Areas have reported differing degrees of tension; some report occasional gunfire, while others report calm conditions.
Videos of security personnel associated with previous council chairman Allwell Ihunda in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area are making the rounds on social media. The youths who were chasing the security personnel claimed that the police had shot at them.
Similarly, people screaming war and triumph songs tore posters and vandalised an official vehicle owned by the former council chairman, George Ariorlu, at the Obio-Akpor Council Secretariat.
When the governor wrapped up his statewide broadcast, ZINGTIE learned that the local government councils’ two chairmen remained on council property.
As a result, angry youths invaded the areas in an attempt to drive them out.
Youths from different communities were observed celebrating the Chairman’s resignation from office and chanting victory songs at the Emohua Local Government Council.
Youth have also been overtaken by Eleme, Omuma, Ahoada East, Degema, Asari/Toru, Akuku/Toru, Onelga, Okrika, and Ogu/Bolo LGAs.
In the meantime, pro-Wike parties in the three LGAs that speak Kalabari have been advised to refrain from violence and uphold peace despite provocations from opposing factions by the departing Chairman of the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Rowland Sekibo.
Speaking in the Asari-Toru Council Secretariat in Buguma on behalf of the three former council chairs of Kalabari Kingdom, Sekibo made this appeal.
He reminded the groups that the case was still pending in court, underlined the value of patience, and asked them to stay peaceful while awaiting the court’s judgment.
Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has ordered all 23 local government areas’ Heads of Local Government Administrations (HLGAs) to assume councils’ leadership as of Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
According to ZINGTIE, this instruction comes into effect on Monday, June 17, 2024, when the terms of the 23 Local Government Areas, or LGA, Chairmen end.
Governor Fubara gave the HLGAs orders in a broadcast on Tuesday morning “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 congratulated the departing LGA Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councillors for their devoted service to their respective communities.
He wished them luck in their future pursuits and complimented them on finishing their terms successfully.
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