The crisis in Rivers State intensified on Tuesday as clashes over the tenure of 23 local government chairmen resulted in the death of a policeman. Protesting youths loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara dislodged three chairmen who refused to vacate their offices.

The violence erupted at the Eberi-Omuma council secretariat in Omuma Local Government Area, where supporters of Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, clashed. To prevent further escalation, the police took control of the 23 council secretariats on Tuesday evening.

The tenure of the chairmen expired on Monday, but they claimed authority from a recent amendment to the Local Government Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which extended their terms by six months due to Fubara’s failure to conduct local elections.

At an annual meeting last Thursday, one council chairman, Obarimate Ollor, warned of plans to invade the council. On Monday, youths occupied the secretariats of Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, and Degema, barring chairmen access.

Governor Fubara, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, directed local government heads to assume control of council affairs from Wednesday. However, the situation escalated at Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, where outgoing chairman and state ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, narrowly escaped harm as protesting youths blocked his entry to the secretariat.

Ihunda’s security detail fired shots to disperse the youths as he fled the scene. Protesters accused him of refusing to vacate office despite his tenure’s expiration. The police responded with gunfire and teargas to disperse the crowd.

In Eleme LGA, youths clashed with the outgoing chairman’s supporters, forcing him to leave. In Obio/Akpor, FCT Minister Wike’s home LGA, youths occupied the secretariat and vandalized property. Similar tensions were reported in Emuoha LGA, disrupting planned activities.

Outgoing chairman Dr. Chidi Lloyd criticized Governor Fubara’s directive, citing legal issues with using caretakers as council heads. He called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to maintain order.

Meanwhile, a policeman and a local vigilante were killed in Omuma LGA during clashes. Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the deaths and ongoing investigations.

Additional violence was reported in Obio/Akpor, Emohua, Eleme, and Khana LGAs. However, in Ikwerre LGA, outgoing chairman Dr. Samuel Nwanosike remained in office until later in the day, accusing Fubara of instigating violence.

State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, denied allegations of widespread violence and affirmed the legality of Fubara’s actions. He stated that Rivers State remained peaceful and urged citizens to comply with the governor’s directives.

Governor Fubara convened a state security council meeting, vowing to protect his supporters and ensure peace. He emphasized that no tenure extensions were legally valid.

The police have taken over the 23 council secretariats and other critical infrastructure to prevent further violence, urging residents to remain law-abiding. The crisis follows a long-standing political feud between Fubara and Wike, which escalated with attempts to impeach the governor and legislative conflicts.

Federal lawmakers have called for treason charges against the former chairmen and their sponsors. The police have increased their presence in the state, ready to enforce the law and maintain order.