Violence has rocked parts of Rivers State a few hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun ordered the police to vacate the 23 local government secretariats, sealed since July this year following controversy over the extension of the former Chairmen’s tenure.
In the heat of the controversy, police officers were stationed at the facilities to forestall an untoward occurrences.
However, this morning (Monday, October 7), unknown arsonists allegedly set ablaze the headquarters of Eleme Local Government Area of the State a few hours after the Police unsealed the 23 local government Secretariats and ordered its personnel to vacate the areas with immediate effect.
The police action came in apparent response to the recently concluded local government elections on Saturday, October, 5, and swearing in yesterday (Sunday, October 6) of duly elected 23 council chairmen by the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, indicating that the issue of tenure extension for which there was anxiety about violence and possible destruction no longer arose.
The incident at Eleme reportedly occurred as Brian Gokpa, the newly elected Chairman, arrived at the secretariat, accompanied by his councillors and supporters, to assume duties.
According to eyewitnesses, the attackers targeted specific buildings within the complex.
However, in a related development, gunshots and dynamite explosions have reportedly rocked some other parts of the state, ignited by persons and groups suspected to belong to the two opposing political interests in the state.
Some of the places where violence was reported are Ahoada East, Eleme, Etche, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Khana, Oyigbo LGA, according to eyewitness accounts.
In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA), suspected supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly took over the council headquarters in Omoku.
It was learnt that at the Ikwerre local government area headquarters, Isiokpo, acclaimed council workers loyal to the former chairman, Samuel Nwanosike, accused the State Governor of being behind the shooting and dynamite explosion around the area.
They vowed to resist the continuation of what they described as ‘illegality’ of the Governor in their council.
Last Thursday, anti-local government election protesters staged a peaceful demonstration in Port Harcourt, calling on the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to obey court order not to conduct the poll.
They warned that any attempt to conduct the council election would be an invitation to anarchy in the state.
