Danger Looms in Rivers, as Armed Group Emerges to Exit
Council Chairmen
From ERIC MOORE, Port Harcourt
There is palpable fear in Rivers State following a trending video of armed men who said they were prepared to ensure the exit of local government council chairmen, whose tenure expired on June 17, 2024.
Already, youths have occupied some of the local government headquarters, chanting that the chairmen should go.
In Degema Local Government Area and Asari-Toru LGA (ASALGA) youths have taken over the headquarters, vowing to occupy the council secretariats till Wednesday, when work will resume after two days public holiday, which marked Muslim festivities.
These are youths that are against elongation of the tenure of council chairmen.
Meanwhile, in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) and Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, security has been beefed to forestall breakdown of law and order.
But, in the viral five minutes, seven seconds video clip, taken last Saturday, some armed men were seen crossing a creek.
Leader of the group, whose name could not be ascertained declared that they were back from the river ahead of Wednesday, prepared for resistance from council chairman that would refuse to vacate office.
The leader of the group wearing a black polo cloth engraven G. ASABUJA, said: “Today, is Saturday,15th June, I am back from the river, the creek; preparing and about to take over local government areas on Wednesday, because Monday and Tuesday are public holidays.”
“We are back to take over all the 23 local government councils. So, the council chairmen should wait for us. We are coming. We will escape every council caretaker to go.
“It is my hobby and business to work with the government, to relate to the government to fight crime. Those who said government will not drink water and keep cup, we will join hands and follow them anyhow they want it.
“I work with Joint Task Force; I am in charge of anti-bunkering South-South. I have come back home. Half of my men are back. We are taking over all the local government areas.
“But, for now, we are enjoying, flexing, preparing for Wednesday. I am hosting my boys for Wednesday. So, let all the caretakers be prepared to host my boys on Wednesday. You have entered.
The leader specifically called on the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, to prepare and wait for them, adding that he (the group leader) must be present at the council secretariat.
He continued: “Nwanosike Ishi, wait for us on Wednesday. I volunteer to come to Ikwerre Local Government Area. I will be there. Wait for us, there is no problem. You’ll learn how to respect elders and authority.
“Let me go and see my boys, my soldiers. We want to prepare for Wednesday. We are ready.”
The leader, thereafter, was seen distributing drinks to group of entertainers within the vicinity.
Pentoks News gathered that the State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has sent names of a seven-man Caretaker Committee of the 23 LGAs to the House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo for screening and confirmation.
It would be recalled that the council chairmen and House of Assembly members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Territory have been at loggerhead with the governor.