A tense situation is unfolding at the Port Harcourt City Council in Rivers State, as supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been met with gunfire from police officers allegedly sent by Minister Nyesom Wike.
In a video obtained by Report Afrique, gunshots can be heard ringing out as protesters, including Ijaw youths, gather at the council hall. The protesters claim they are peaceful and only seeking to protect the interests of Governor Fubara.
“We came here for a peaceful protest, but they started shooting at us,” one protester said. “We are calling on the IGP to redeploy the commander with immediate effect.”
Another protester claimed to have been shot but not seriously injured. The situation has escalated amid a transition crisis across Rivers State’s 23 local governments, with youths seizing control of some council secretariats following the expiration of the tenure of elected officials.
Governor Fubara had earlier directed Heads of Local Government Administration to assume control of the councils, but the move has been met with resistance from rival political factions.
The crisis is threatening to destabilize the state’s political and economic atmosphere, causing concern among residents.
Join our Channel...