The Rivers State local government elections may have been concluded successfully, but tension remains visible between factions loyal to the state and those aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Governor Siminalaye Fubara had raised an alarm about an alleged plan to obstruct the newly elected chairmen as they resumed office. Those concerns clearly played out on Monday in some local government councils.
In Ahoada East Local Government Area, the newly sworn-in Chairman of the council, Chibudom Hezekiah, along with councilors and a large crowd of supporters, encountered resistance at the council gate, where a small group attempted to prevent them from gaining access.
With the intervention of security operatives and the insistence of the crowd, the situation was brought under control, allowing the chairman and his team to gain entrance in the council secretariat to resume duties.
Amidst jubilation, the new councilors proceeded with their swearing-in ceremony before moving directly into their chambers to hold their first legislative sitting.
The LGA Chairman, while reacting to the skirmishes before taking possession of the secretariat, emphasized that the will of the people is greater, alleging that the brief disruption at the gate was orchestrated by the former chairman, Benjamin Eke, who is loyal to Wike.
In an interview with Channels Television, Hon. Eke via telephone confirmed that he was actually responsible for the resistance. He explained that his actions were in protest of the elections, which he believes should not have taken place due to a court order from Abuja.
Earlier on Monday, police authorities announced the reopening of the 23 Local Government Council secretariats following the successful conduct of the elections. And that they have also withdrawn their officers who were previously blocking access to the councils.
