Barely three hours after the unsealing of local government secretariats by the Rivers State Police Command, violence broke out in several areas, leading to arson, shootings, and deaths. In Eleme, the newly elected chairman Brian Gokpa’s arrival at the secretariat was met with an arson attack, leaving parts of the building destroyed. The motivation behind the attack remains unclear as tensions mount across the state.
The secretariats had been sealed since June due to a political standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Despite Wike’s opposition, local government elections were held on October 5, with the newly elected chairmen sworn in by Governor Fubara the next day. The unsealing of the secretariats followed directives from the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the smooth functioning of democratic processes.
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Violence also erupted in Khana, where one person was killed during gunfire, and in Obio/Akpor, where a confrontation led to bottles being thrown before the police intervened. In Bori, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Action People’s Party (APP) clashed, while unknown gunmen chased the Ikwerre council chairman out of his secretariat. Pro-Wike supporters also blocked the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni secretariat, preventing the new chairman from assuming office.
While some councils, like Oyigbo and Andoni, remain peaceful, the violence has raised concerns about further unrest as political tensions between factions loyal to Wike and Fubara continue to escalate across Rivers State.
