Rivers: Tension Mounts Ahead of Appeal Court Judgement

There is ongoing tension in Rivers State as feuding parties await the decision of the Court of Appeal.

NIGERIA NEWS 247 recalls that at the last hearing, parties presented their final addresses to the court, after which the suit was adjourned for judgment.

Former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 24 others are in court against the high court-backed Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, and five others.

Amaewhule and his supporters are asking the court to halt the implementation of a high court ruling that removed them from office, pause any further actions in the case, and nullify any decisions made by Jumbo while in office. They argue that the trial court overstepped its authority.

The crisis centers around the management of the 23 local government areas. The former chairmen, whose tenures have expired, insist they have the right to remain in office, citing an amended law by the embattled Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.

Governor Fubara, on Monday, June 17, directed all Heads of Local Government Administration in the state to take charge of councils starting Tuesday, June 18, 2024. In a broadcast, the governor instructed the HLGAs to “immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”

However, the former chairmen vowed to remain in office, insisting that the embattled faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaewhule had extended their tenure by six months. Their refusal to leave office triggered controversies that turned violent on Tuesday when supporters of the incumbent governor and Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, clashed. At least two security operatives were killed during the clash, and scores of other protesters were injured, as confirmed by the spokesperson of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringo-Koko.

Subsequently, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the state Command to take over the LG secretariats to prevent further bloodshed and deterioration of security. The IGP specifically deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers of the police officer and the vigilante member.

In a swift move, Governor Fubara on Wednesday nominated caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas to replace the pro-Nyesom Wike former chairmen. The caretaker chairmen, screened by the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Victor Jumbo, were sworn in by the governor the same day. However, the police barred the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen from accessing their offices in all the 23 LG headquarters, as all the secretariats were barricaded with police patrol vans. Governor Fubara stated that the caretaker chairmen would operate from alternative secretariats.

APC’s Call for State of Emergency

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency, believing it would address the political impasse. Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC in Rivers, stated that the call was necessary to safeguard the nation’s economy, warning that without urgent intervention, the situation could have significant economic repercussions. However, stakeholders warned that any attempt to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State would cause more damage to the nation’s democracy. The Concerned Citizens Forum of Nigeria argued that such a declaration would lead to further violence, displacement, and human rights violations.

Speaking with NIGERIA NEWS 247, APC Publicity Secretary Ikenga Chibike reaffirmed the party’s stance, citing a breakdown of law and order and criticizing Governor Fubara for abandoning his responsibility of protecting lives and properties.

More Protests Loom as Police Continue Siege on LG Secretariats

NIGERIA NEWS 247 gathered that some youths are planning to stage a protest against the continuous police barricade of the LG secretariats. A source suggested that the police should allow the caretaker chairmen to resume their duties to avoid escalating tensions. The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) and over 40 affiliate organizations have threatened a statewide protest if the police do not withdraw from the 23 local government councils.

ALGON Issues Strong Warning

The Rivers State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) warned against a planned protest by the former local government chairmen and former members of the state and National Assembly. ALGON Chairman, Prince Ichemati Ezebunwo, alleged that the protest aims to destabilize governance and create a pretext for declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. Ezebunwo clarified that the new caretaker committee chairmen have not attempted to forcibly take over any local government secretariats, following the governor’s directive to await the police withdrawal.

He urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, to prevent any illegal protests. The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that the command was not aware of any impending protests and assured that adequate security measures were in place.