SUSPECTED thugs on Monday, October 7, set the headquarters of Ikwerre and Eleme local government areas (LGAs) ablaze in Rivers State, shortly after the Nigerian Police Force withdrew its officers from the facilities after months of siege.
Fire and smoke billowed at buildings in the two secretariats almost simultaneously in what appeared like an aftermath of the local government poll conducted in the state on Saturday, October 5.
Police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, while announcing the police withdrawal from the state’s LGA secretariats said the organisation would not hesitate to return the officers should the need arise.
“In view of the recent political developments in Rivers State, the newly deployed commissioner of police, CP Bala Mustapha hereby conveys the directives of the inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for the immediate withdrawal of all police personnel previously deployed to seal and safeguard the local government secretariats in the state.
“This decision is in line with the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure neutrality and the smooth functioning of democratic institutions,” the statement said in part.
The ICIR reported on Sunday, October 6, that the state Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in all the newly-elected 23 local government chairmen shortly after the (Rivers) State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) announced the election results for the last local government.
The ICIR reported how the African People’s Party (APP) won 22 out of the 23 local government chairmanship seats in the state according to results announced by RSEIC.
Fubara’s preferred candidates were victorious in the poll marred by controversies and security challenges.
Fubara also won the election for an opposition party, as he has yet to decamp from his party – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Fubara and his predecessor who helped him to power, Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads over who controls the PDP structure in the state, with President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to resolve the stalemate yielding no result.
Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), works for the All Progressives Congress (APC) government, led by Tinubu. He has maintained that he belonged to the PDP and dared the party to suspend him if they could.
On his part, Fubara has insisted on taking over the PDP’s structure in Rivers as the move exacerbated his rift with Wike.
The feud resulted in 27 of the 32 House of Assembly members in the state loyal to Wike decamping from the PDP to APC, though they later denied doing so.
Fubara has since been working with only five lawmakers loyal to him, including the signing of budget and other state matters.
Earlier this year, Fubara ordered the LGA chairmen elected under Wike to vacate their seats, stating that they had completed their term.
The ensuing crises led to the police taking over the secretariat.
Marcus bears the light, and he beams it everywhere. He's a good governance and decent society advocate. He's The ICIR Reporter of the Year 2022 and has been the organisation's News Editor since September 2023. Contact him via email @ mfatunmole@icirnigeria.org