A clash at the Port Harcourt Local Government Secretariat in Rivers State has resulted in one fatality and several injuries.
Serious violence broke out on Tuesday morning when a group of youths stormed the secretariat, opposing police efforts to take control of the building. This incident follows Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive, issued a few hours prior in a state broadcast, that Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) should assume leadership of the 23 council areas after the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
Despite the attempts to extend their tenures, the Governor deemed it illegal and ordered their replacements amid the crisis in the oil-rich state.
The youths, allegedly supported by Governor Fubara’s backers, were confronted by police forces. Gunshots were reportedly fired, as evidenced by shell casings seen in video footage. The unarmed youths expressed outrage at the police’s use of force, questioning why they were being targeted.
The conflict originates from a court ruling that recognized a three-man House of Assembly’s decision to annul the tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike. Despite the ruling, the chairmen insisted on staying in office for an additional six months, leading Governor Fubara to declare their tenure expired on June 17.
On Monday, similar unrest occurred when youths occupied the secretariats in Degema and Asari-Toru councils, demanding the departure of the chairmen and officials.
See the video below: