Former LGA Chairmen Defy Police, Stage Protests in Rivers State

In defiance of police directives, former local government chairmen in Rivers State staged protests across various council areas on Monday. This comes despite a strong advisory against such actions issued by the Rivers State Police Command.

In Buguma, the headquarters of the Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA), former Chairman Onengiyeofori George led a procession through the town, rallying his supporters with songs and chants. Protesters carried placards with messages directed at the police, including “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He Likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council,” demanding that police maintain their presence at council headquarters.

Similarly, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, a group of demonstrators voiced their support for the ongoing police closure of council premises.

The protests erupted in response to recent events in Rivers State, where the police have occupied the council secretariats of all 23 LGAs following a crisis over the expiration of the three-year tenure of former LGA chairmen. The unrest has already resulted in three deaths.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara responded by swearing in 23 caretaker chairmen; however, the police continue to barricade the council premises, preventing access to avert further violence.