Rivers State Crisis Deepens as Third Local Government Secretariat Set Ablaze in 24 Hours

The ongoing crisis in Rivers State escalated on Monday as suspected hoodlums set fire to the Emohua Local Government Area (LGA) secretariat, marking the third attack on a government office in just 24 hours. Earlier in the day, sections of the Eleme and Ikwerre LGA secretariats were also torched by irate youths.

Sources indicate that the attack on the Emohua LGA secretariat occurred shortly after the swearing-in of David Omereji, the newly elected chair, along with his deputy and council members. Following the inauguration, mobs reportedly stormed multiple LGA offices in an attempt to disrupt the activities of newly elected officials, preventing them from assuming their roles.

In one instance, hoodlums descended on the Obio/Akpor LGA secretariat, opening fire indiscriminately to drive workers away. A video obtained by SK Blog shows armed police officers eventually repelling the attackers.

The wave of violence comes just hours after Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police personnel from all 23 LGA secretariats in Rivers State. This directive, according to Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers State Police spokesperson, was in line with the force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and supporting democratic institutions.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had just sworn in 23 newly elected local government chairpersons on Sunday, had warned of potential violence. The elections, held on Saturday, saw the Action Peoples Party (APP) secure victories in 22 LGAs, while the Action Alliance (AA) won one LGA.

Political tensions in Rivers State have been running high, with the crisis partly attributed to a feud between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The LGA elections were surrounded by controversy, legal battles, and opposition from major political parties like the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Earlier court rulings had complicated the election process. While a Rivers State high court had allowed the use of the 2023 voter register, a federal high court in Abuja later barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the register and prohibited security forces from participating in the election.

Despite the court injunctions and the withdrawal of security personnel, Governor Fubara proceeded with the elections as planned, adding further fuel to the ongoing political unrest.