According to Punch Newspaper, In defiance of calls by the police to suspend protests, supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom, gathered in Port Harcourt on Monday to demonstrate amidst the local government tenure elongation crisis in Rivers State. Approximately 100 protesters converged near the post office along Azikiwe Road, brandishing placards bearing various messages to articulate their stance.
The protesters, undeterred by the police advisory, marched towards the Port Harcourt City Local Government Secretariat on Bank Road, where they encountered a police blockade. The placards displayed by the demonstrators carried messages such as "Police keep to your words, CTC is unconstitutional" and "let the court decide," reflecting their demand for legal resolution of the contentious issue.
The Rivers State police command had earlier urged the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees and affiliated groups to postpone their planned protest to avert potential disruptions by miscreants. Despite this caution, the protesters remained resolute in their action, emphasizing their support for the police's presence at the local government councils pending a court verdict.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, Mrs. Rose Wori reiterated the group's position, asserting the need for peace and adherence to constitutional processes. She emphasized the importance of maintaining stability within the state and its local government areas, advocating for the police to uphold security until the judiciary provides clarity on the matter.
The demonstration underscores the ongoing tension surrounding the local government administration in Rivers State, with stakeholders taking divergent positions on the legality of caretaker committees. As the standoff continues, both supporters and detractors of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory remain engaged in a dialogue that hinges on judicial interpretation and adherence to constitutional principles.
On her part, a lady identified as Mrs Rose Wori reiterated the call for the police to remain at the council premises pending the Court’s ruling on the matter, saying the setting up of a Caretaker Committee is against the construction.
“We are here to make peace and order, we want peace in our state, we want peace in our LGAs. We the women of Rivers State have come to tell the police to stay until the court decides what happens next.”