In Rivers State, widespread violence erupted on Monday morning, leading to the deaths of at least three people and the destruction of several local government secretariats. This wave of unrest came just hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of police personnel from council secretariats, which had been sealed since July.
The violence, reportedly orchestrated by supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was allegedly aimed at preventing the newly elected local government chairmen from assuming office. These chairmen were sworn in on Sunday by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara following the local government elections held on Saturday.
Several local governments, including Eleme, Ikwerre, and Emohua, were targeted. In Eleme, parts of the secretariat were discovered in flames by the newly elected chairman, Brain Gokpa, when he arrived to assume office. Ikwerre’s secretariat was also set ablaze by protesters, destroying a newly constructed administrative block, one of the achievements of former chairman Samuel Nwanosike.
In Emohua, a group of armed thugs reportedly blocked the entrance to the secretariat, chanting slogans in support of Wike. They later set the building on fire. Other incidents were reported in Obio/Akpor, where bottles were thrown during a confrontation, although the police were able to contain the situation.
Shootings occurred in Khana Local Government Area, where one person was feared killed amid gunfire. A violent clash between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action Peoples Party (APP) was also reported in Khana, further escalating tensions in the area. In Ahoada East, the Army was called in to restore order after a shooting incident left one person dead and others injured.
The withdrawal of police from the secretariats followed an order from the IGP, which was aimed a we ensuring neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic processes. However, the absence of law enforcement at such a critical moment has led to significant unrest. The Rivers State Police Command announced that officers would only return to the secretariats in the event of a security threat.
Political observers point to the growing tension between Governor Fubara and Wike, who remains an influential figure in Rivers politics. Some have suggested that the violence was driven by Wike's supporters, who are determined to maintain their influence in the state.
In response to the escalating violence, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the police to restore security at the affected local government secretariats. He called on all political actors in the state to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law. The president also urged the judiciary to settle political disputes, emphasizing that the recent elections should not be an exception.
In a separate statement, Bode George, former deputy national chairman of the PDP, called on Tinubu to call Wike to order and allow Governor Fubara to govern freely. George warned that the ongoing crisis in Rivers State could threaten Nigeria's democracy, drawing parallels to the political violence that led to the country's first military coup in 1966.
The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has also weighed in on the situation, urging President Tinubu to pay close attention to Rivers State's political developments. INC President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, warned that the violence and political maneuvering in the state could lead to a larger crisis if not addressed. The INC expressed concern over the level of desperation among political actors and urged all parties to allow peace to prevail.
As violence continues to flare in Rivers State, the situation remains tense. Many local government secretariats are either destroyed or heavily guarded by security forces, and no arrests have been made in connection with the attacks. With both Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike at odds, political observers fear that the unrest could escalate further unless decisive actions are taken to restore peace and order.
The coming days will be critical for Rivers State, as the state government and law enforcement agencies work to contain the violence and ensure that the newly elected local government chairmen can assume their offices without further bloodshed.