The political crisis in Rivers State on Monday heightened with political thugs believed to be opposed to last Saturday’s local government election have taken over council secretariats thereby preventing the newly elected and sworn-in council chairmen in the state from assuming office.
No fewer than three persons are reportedly feared dead in the escalating tension in some parts of the state.
It was gathered that three local government secretariats of Eleme, Khana and Emohua have been reportedly touched by the irate youths suspected to be political thugs.
In Emohua LGA, supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken over the council’s secretariat in protest against the recent council election in the state.
The rioting youths have vowed to occupy the council and ensure that the newly elected council chairman and councilors do not assume work in the council.
They were also said to have barricaded the main entrance and roads to the secretariat, padlocking the gate and securing the small entrance.
They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the sworn-in chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.
The supporters said they only recognised Dr. Chidi Lloyd as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to serve out his tenure.
The PDP Emohua council chairman, Morrison Jim addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
Also in Khana local government, protesters have besieged Bori, headquarters of the council, where one person has been feared dead following a shooting in the area.
It is not clear if the incident is linked to the protest that rocked some LGs over the order of the police to unseal the secretariats of the 23 LGs of the state which have been under lock and key since July.
A source who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that the gunshot was heard near Bori, saying people started running in different directions.
Meanwhile, the Rivers police command is yet to reacting to the attacks in council secretariats in the state following the withdrawal of policemen from the secretariats.
Recall that the Inspector General of Police on Monday morning withdrew his personnel from the various council secretariats, a situation that has paved way for political thugs to attack the secretariats.
