Drama as young people demolish Rivers’ statue of Wike (Video)

There was a mild drama as irate youths destroyed the statue of former Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, at the Obio-Akpor LG Secretariat.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, when the youths said to be supporters of Governor Simi Fubara took over the secretariat.

In a now-viral video, the youths chanted “no more Wike” as they removed the bust.

Pro-Gov. Sim Fubara’s supporters destroy Statue of Minister of FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the headquarter of Obino/Akpor Local Government Council. pic.twitter.com/kjKaw5RVwK

— Port Harcourt People (@AskPHPeople) June 18, 2024

This is coming amid a renewed political crisis rocking the state, with Wike and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara, at the centre.

Fubara has directed all Heads of Local Government Administration, HLGAs, in the state’s 23 local government areas to take charge of councils starting today, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

The directive follows the expiration of the tenure of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGA, Chairmen on Monday, June 17, 2024.

In a broadcast on Tuesday morning, Governor Fubara instructed the HLGAs to “immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”

Governor Fubara commended the outgoing LGA Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councilors for their dedicated service to their respective communities.

He congratulated them on the successful completion of their tenures and wished them well in their future endeavours.

He congratulated them on the successful completion of their tenures and wished them well in their future endeavours.

On Monday, anxiety gripped Degema and Asari-Toru councils as youths seized control of their secretariats following the end of the tenure of chairmen, councillors, and other officials.

Amidst the crisis, tensions increased following reports of armed youths in riverine areas and rumours that the governor had submitted names for seven-man caretaker committees to lawmakers for screening.

In a viral video, an unidentified leader of a joint task force on anti-bunkering threatened action, announcing preparations to escort caretaker committees to councils, including a confrontation with the outgoing chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike.

However, shortly after Governor Fubara’s statewide broadcast, some residents trooped to the Council Secretariats to ensure that the former council Chairmen did not have access to loot and destroy the council headquarters before eventually vacating their seats

In one of the videos, the former Mayor of Port-Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda, and his security details were chased out when he tried to gain illegal entrance to the council.