Tensions Escalate in Rivers State as Council Secretariat Crisis Takes Deadly Turn

Rivers State, Nigeria – The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a tragic turn as two individuals lost their lives amidst clashes between supporters of the state’s local government council chairmen. The violence erupted following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the elected council officials, which ended on June 17, 2024.

The Rivers State Police Command has taken control of all 23 local government council secretariats in an effort to prevent further bloodshed and maintain law and order. The decision was made after a police officer and a vigilante member were killed in Omuma Local Government Area, where clashes between supporters of the outgoing chairmen and their opponents had intensified.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who had earlier directed Heads of Local Government Administration to assume leadership of the council areas, convened a security meeting to address the ongoing threat to the state’s peace. The governor emphasized the need for all groups and individuals to be law-abiding and warned against any attempts to cause mayhem.

The crisis in Rivers State has been brewing for months, with the state’s political landscape divided between supporters of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, and Governor Fubara. The feud has escalated into a series of confrontations, including an impeachment plot against Fubara and clashes between the pro-Wike lawmakers and the governor-backed three-man assembly.

The situation remains tense as youths continue to occupy the council secretariats, resisting the outgoing chairmen and their supporters. The police have urged law-abiding residents and visitors to go about their lawful businesses without fear, while the authorities work to restore peace and stability in the state.

As the crisis unfolds, the people of Rivers State hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the tensions that have gripped their communities. The tragic loss of lives serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for dialogue and reconciliation among the state’s political factions.