Former chairmen from 21 out of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State staged protests at their respective council areas, on Monday.
These former council leaders, loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, held demonstrations despite a police advisory against protests.
In Buguma, the headquarters of Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George and his supporters marched through the streets, chanting songs in support of Wike. They carried placards with messages like “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He Likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council.”
At Asari-Toru LGA, the protest almost turned violent when men believed to be operatives of Asari Dokubo’s private military company, known as Amama soldiers, attempted to attack the protesters. However, the police quickly intervened to prevent any violence. The demonstrators later handed a protest letter to the police.
In Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA, other individuals also protested, supporting the police’s continued closure of council premises.
The protests come after the police took control of the 23 LGA council secretariats in Rivers State last Tuesday.
This action followed a crisis that erupted over the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former LGA chairmen, resulting in three deaths.
