Supporters of Governor Fubara, Ex-Governor Wike Clash in Rivers State, Baby Tear-Gassed

A confrontation between supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike led to chaos in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Wednesday. The altercation, which erupted during a government medical outreach, resulted in a baby being tear-gassed and losing consciousness.

The incident occurred at the Eliozu Health Centre during a medical outreach organized by the state Ministry of Health. Witnesses reported that the trouble began when supporters of Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly and an ally of Wike, arrived at the venue to investigate the gathering.

The health center is located near Amaewhule’s residence. Upon their arrival, they were confronted by supporters of Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA and a Fubara loyalist. The confrontation quickly escalated into a heated argument and subsequent physical clash.

Stones were thrown, and the medical outreach was disrupted. Anti-riot police soon intervened, deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order. During the chaos, a child was affected by the tear gas and became unconscious.

The outreach program was subsequently relocated to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines area in Port Harcourt.

Chijioke Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of leading the police to disrupt the event. He condemned the actions of the police, stating, “This morning, the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a program by the Ministry of Health. A few minutes later, policemen started beating our women and tear-gassing pregnant women at the Health Centre.”

Ihunwo called on President Bola Tinubu to address the situation, claiming that the actions of the police and the FCT Minister were tarnishing the government’s image. “We want to call on the President to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace,” he said.

The state police command spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that the police had responded to a distress call. “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight. The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order. An investigation into the matter has been initiated,” she said.