Rivers State descended into chaos on Monday as violence erupted following disputed local elections, leading to the deaths of several individuals, including the brother of Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to Governor Siminialayi Fubara. The tragic toll also included the father of a newly elected councillor, with three others killed in politically charged skirmishes.
In a dramatic escalation, suspected thugs set fire to three local government secretariats soon after the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the withdrawal of police personnel guarding council premises. Among the secretariats targeted were Ikwere and Eleme, with an explosion rocking the latter.
Tensions have simmered since the weekend’s local government election, which saw Governor Fubara’s allies in the Action Peoples Party (APP) claim victory in 22 of 23 council seats. The opposition, including factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), rejected the outcome, accusing the government of electoral malpractice and branding the vote a “Kangaroo election.”
The volatile atmosphere intensified after newly elected council chairmen attempted to resume office, sparking violent confrontations in multiple local government areas. In Ahoada East, gunfire erupted as the new chairman and councillors tried to access their office, resulting in the fatal shooting of Ehie’s brother. Similar violent protests occurred in other councils, with protesters blocking entrances and setting fire to buildings, while youths armed with machetes clashed at the Obio/Akpor secretariat.
The violence has drawn widespread condemnation, with political leaders and civil society groups calling for urgent intervention. Benjamin Ogbobula, Secretary of the Rivers State Inter-Party Advisory Council, decried the escalating violence and torching of public property, urging security forces to restore order before the situation spirals further out of control.
As Rivers State remains on edge, Governor Fubara has sworn in the elected council chairmen despite fierce opposition. Meanwhile, security agencies are grappling with how to contain a political crisis that shows no signs of abating.
