Former Local Government Leaders Hold Protests Against Police Directive

On Monday, June 24, former Council Chairmen from 21 out of 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State organized a protest.

Despite a warning from the Rivers State Police Command against protests, the ex-LGA bosses who support Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), demonstrated in their respective local councils.

In Buguma, the council headquarters of Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George and his followers paraded through the town streets, dancing to songs in solidarity with Wike.

They carried placards urging the police to continue occupying the council headquarters, with messages like “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council”.

Similarly, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, a group also supported the ongoing closure of council premises by law enforcement.

Last Tuesday, police took control of the council secretariats in all 23 LGAs in the oil-rich South-South region following turmoil stemming from the expiration of the former LGA chairmen’s three-year terms.

Three fatalities have occurred during the unrest.

Although the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, appointed 23 caretaker chairmen last week, the police continue to barricade the council premises across all LGAs, preventing access to avoid potential lawlessness.