NULGE’s President in Rivers State, Clifford Paul, had issued a four-day ultimatum to Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to withdraw his officers from the 23 local government councils. This planned protest had also garnered support from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
However, in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, TUC Chairman Ikechukwu Onyefuru announced the suspension of the protest, emphasizing the state’s peace and the need for a lawful resolution. Onyefuru stated, “As organised labour, we have suspended all our actions. However, we will continue to pursue by legitimate means a process to get our workers back to work.”
In parallel, the former chairmen of 21 local government areas, elected under the tenure of previous governor Nyesom Wike, conducted their protests. They claimed legitimacy based on the Local Government Amendment and Administrative Law No. 2 of 2024, which extended their tenure by six months due to Governor Fubara’s failure to conduct elections. These former council leaders, supported by loyalists, maintained their presence at the council secretariats, aligning with the police barricades.
The confrontation between loyalists of the current and former governors has intensified. Following a statewide broadcast by Governor Fubara announcing the end of the council bosses’ tenure, his supporters attempted to remove the ex-chairmen from office. In response, the police intervened by barricading the council secretariats to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
In Obio-Akpor LGA, ex-chairman George Ariolu, asserting his ongoing role pending court decisions, led a demonstration supporting the police presence and denouncing potential violence.
Ariolu emphasized their commitment to democracy and law, stating, “We are democrats and we must defend this democracy. The beauty of democracy is the rule of law.” He warned against allowing any group to forcefully take control of the councils, emphasizing that such actions could lead to violence. According to The PUNCH reports, George Ariolu said, “The police will not allow them to enter. If they do, we will also get into the councils and what they want to avoid will happen and it will not be in the interest of anybody.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>