More reactions, accusations, as Fubara appoints 23 Caretaker Committee Chairmen for Rivers …
By Olawale Lamina: Editor-in-Chief
Two persons, ( a policeman and a member of the local vigilante group – OSPAC) were killed yesterday in the crisis rocking Rivers State as irate youths in their numbers seized some of the headquarters of state local government areas, sequel to the controversial expiration of the tenure of chairmen of the 23 LGAs in the state.
In an early morning broadcast on Tuesday, governor Siminalayi Fubara thanked the ex-chairmen for their services and directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in the 23 LGAs to take charge of the running of their respective LGAs.
He assured residents of the state of continued peace as well as his readiness to protect all patriotic supporters for standing on the path of truth.
Part of his address read: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State.
“I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours….
”Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”
Recall that political crisis erupted in the state as some of the 23 ex-local council chairmen, ( allegedly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Woke) vowed to remain in office, citing an amended local government council law by the embattled 27 lawmakers ( also loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike), which empowered them to remain in office for six months after the expiration of their tenure. Although the law had been repealed by the State High Court, some of the ex-chairmen threatened to remain in office, raising tension of a likely breakdown of law and order.
In a swift reaction to the political upheaval in the state, elder statesman and leader of the Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Clark has criticized former governor Nyesom Wike, (current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT) for the crisis situation in the state. He stressed that “Godfatherism’ must give way in the state.
But more tension had since built up in the state, leading to protests being spread to almost all the LGAs in the state, especially in Omuma Local Government Area where a policeman and OSPAC vigilante member were murdered. The tensions were exacerbated by pro- Wike and anti-Fubara forces in the state.
In the aftermath of all the confusion, there were reported cases of shooting by alleged security personnel at the Port Harcourt City LGA, PHALGA,Council Secretariat and few other council secretariats.
Similarly, we gathered that there sporadic were shootings at Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme and Khana LGAs by unidentified persons who were either for or against either sides of the gladiators in the crisis that ensued.
A source said that the incident leading to the killings of the two victims of the crisis took place at noon yesterday in Omuma LGA following shootings that erupted in the area.
The source who preferred to remain anonymous alleged that policemen attached to a politician in the area had first shot the local vigilante members who were in one of the groups that clashed at Omuma council secretariat, saying that a reprisal attacks from the camp of the other opposition (the victim’s men) led to the confrontation with the security personnel.
Also, a supporter of one of the ousted local government Chairmen, Samuel Anosike, (chairman of Ikwerre local government) in a video, claimed that the governor is inciting ethnic war in the state. He also alleged that governor Fubara had been out to clamp down on Dr. Nwanosike Samuel through his agents.
On the contrary, some Rivers Youth who were opposed to the council chairmen over their failure to comply with the directives of governor Fubara to leave office have made mockery of their former LG Chairmen, whom they alleged to have promised to distribute cutlasses and knives in the local communities, with the aim of causing mayhem but were turned down.
The youth demonstrations were said to have taken over many local government secretariats. The Pinnacle Times learnt that despite the governor’s broadcast, some of the ex-council chairmen made attempts to resume work at their council secretariats but were resisted by angry youths. For instance, at the Port Harcourt City LGA Council Secretariat, the immediate past chairman, Ihundah, was reported to have made efforts to gain access to the secretariat with his security personnel but the youths who invaded the council would not allow them in.
A source close to the incident said that sporadic gunshots by the security personnel could not deter the youths who maintain their ground.
While other Nigerians were on Sallah holidays, reports of shootings rent the air at Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme, Khana and Omuma LGAs by unidentified persons.
At Eleme Local Government Area, the youths who took over the council secretariat were said to have stated unanimously that governor Fubara remained the only authority they were loyal to.
The youths reportedly chased away all council officials who were opposed to the directive issued by the governor.
The immediate past council chairman of Ikwerre local government area, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, yesterday reacted to the ongoing unrest by accusing governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, of hiring cultists and gunmen to cause mayhem in the 23 local government councils. Nwanosike alleged that the governor and Edison sponsored gunmen and cultists to unleash terror on the people of the state, adding that the people of Ikwerre local government area will wait for the decision of the Appeal Court which earlier ruled that the status quo in the matter should remain. He alleged that: “They went and hired cultists, shooting and looting council properties in the name of governing a state. They even shot the police. Is this the best for democracy!
“We are calling on Mr. President that this is the time to uphold the constitution of Nigeria. Governor Fubara has brought insecurity full blown into Rivers state.”
In his reaction to allegation by Anosike, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Warisenibo Johnson, said that the former chairman was only trying to be smart by alleging there were shootings everywhere.
The commissioner denied saying there was no shooting anywhere in the state as alleged.
According to Warisenibo Johnson, “His allegations or claims are very funny. We are not in any desperate mode to take over any council in the state.
“The Constitution is very clear on this matter. It says that any law that is enacted at the lower level cannot supersede the constitution of the country.
“The judgment of Justice D.G. Kio of the State High Court is there for everybody to make references. The law No 2 that they made had been expunged and is not only invalid but nonexistent.
“Regarding insecurity in the state, you can see that Rivers State is very peaceful. There is no gunshot anywhere.”
Earlier, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, had in the face of the crisis rocking local government leadership in the state summoned an emergency security meeting to ensure return of calm.
....Police confirmed Two Dead, take over LG Secretariats
The Rivers State Police Command, yesterday evening confirmed the killing of a police officer and a vigilante member in the LGA crisis
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, SP made the confirmation in Port Harcourt, and stated that the Command has embarked on investigation into the Iringe-Koko said that, “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various local government council Secretariats in Rivers State where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of local council chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 council Secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state.”
The police spokesman continued by saying that, “Conventional police officers and anti-riot police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear.
.”We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
Latest: Fubara appoints 23 Caretaker Committee Chairmen for LG Councils
Meanwhile, the state governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has taken more decisive steps in consolidating his executive powers by nominating caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.
The governor sent the list of the 23- man committee chairmen to the state House of Assembly led by Speaker, Victor,Jumbo on Tuesday.
The caretaker chairmen nominated by the governor include; Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson, Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth, Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green, Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs, Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan, Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree, Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua, Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon, Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa, Emouha LGA – David Omereji, Etche LGA – John Otamiri, Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden, Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji, Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana, Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe, Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi, Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan, Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald, Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam, Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip, Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo, and Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
On Tuesday, the crisis in the state worsened as protesting youths loyal to Fubara dislodged chairmen who refused to leave their offices.
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