Rivers

Reports are emerging of widespread looting in several council offices across Rivers State as supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike, who have rejected the outcome of the recent local government elections, continue to protest the swearing-in of council chairmen by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The unrest has escalated into looting, with office equipment and materials being carted away by angry mobs in multiple local government areas.

The pro-Wike supporters have refused to accept the newly elected chairmen, claiming that the elections were flawed.

This development follows reports of gunfire in several other LGAs as political tensions escalate across Rivers State.

The unrest follows the recent swearing-in of council chairmen across Rivers State after the conclusion of local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Tensions are flaring in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area as thugs have prevented the newly sworn-in council chairman from gaining access to the local government secretariat.

The unrest follows the recent swearing-in of council chairmen across Rivers State after the conclusion of local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The thugs who are opposing the outcome of the election have mobilized to block the entry of the newly elected officials, adding to a growing wave of protests and violence in other parts of the state.

Eye-witnesses say the thugs are supporters of the Federal Capital Territory minister and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

This development follows reports of gunfire in several other LGAs as political tensions escalate across Rivers State.

Officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC and voters ran for their lives when police officers stormed Elekahia Primary School in Port Harcourt City local government area, on Saturday.

About 21 Hilux patrol vans with heavily armed officers drove into the school which has 10 polling units.

Officials of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSEIC) who had set up their stands were chased out of the Ward.

One of the policemen was heard saying, ‘”Come here, remove that vest. What are you doing here? Common move!”

The policemen, some of whom were masked, also asked the officials to remove their vest and hand it to them.

The operatives also shot teargas canister directly into the crowd of people who who were running for their lives.

A policeman fired another teargas at by-standers at the entrance of the Street and residents who came out to cast their votes ran helter-skelter.

Many of RSIEC officials, voters and residents of the community ran into Boms streets in Elekahia community in confused manner, thereby creating tension in the area, as the several police patrol vans sped out of the area with many election materials.

When contacted, spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was not aware of the incident.

“I’m not aware. You are just telling me now, ” she said.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered his men not to provide security during the election, citing a court order.

On the election eve, Governor Siminalayi Fubara had accused the IGP of taking orders from some politicians in Abuja.

He had also vowed to hold Egbetokun responsible if there is breakdown of law and order in the state.

However, the IGP denied the allegations in a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.

Buildings and other property were shattered in the early hours of Saturday as explosives suspected to be dynamite shattered the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The explosion brought down the gate of the secretariat while doors, windows and other property were destroyed.

This is the second time the Chief Tony Okocha-led APC would be experiencing such an attack at its secretariat this year.

This came as the local government elections is set to hold in the state today as the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission said on Friday that all sensitive materials have been distributed to the various local government areas.

A viral video of the incident scene seen by our correspondent showed some workers at the facilities going round to ascertain the extent of damage.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said she had yet to get a report on it but promised to revert.

The party has yet to make a statement on the incident.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state, citing escalating violence and chaos.

Chief Tony Okocha, Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Rivers, made the call during a media briefing on Wednesday.

“Rivers State is at war,” Okocha declared.

“Lives have been lost, and the perpetrators are well-known. The Governor and the police seem powerless to stop the mayhem. We urge the Federal Government to act swiftly and declare a state of emergency to tame the violence and restore order.”

The Federal Government has the constitutional power to declare a state of emergency in cases of natural disasters, civil unrest, armed conflict, medical pandemics, epidemics, or other biosecurity risks.

Okocha’s call comes amidst a deepening political crisis in Rivers State, which has seen clashes between rival factions over the expiration of local government council executives.

More to follow…