21 of the former chairmen of the 23 Local Governments Area in Rivers State, has defiled police orders, taking to the streets, to protest Governor Siminalaye Fubara’s desolation of the existing leadership in the councils.
Earlier, the State Police Command had warned against protest by the aggrieved local government chiefs, noting that such actions considering the volatile political situation may degenerate into violent clashes.
However, in direct defiance to instructions, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George, led his supporter in Buguma, council headquarters of the Asari-Toru LGA, chanting support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and demanding that the status quo remain.
Also, in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, some persons staged a protest, backing the continued closure of council premises by the police.
Recall the police took over the council secretariats of the 23 LGAs last Tuesday following the crisis that erupted over the three-year tenure expiration of the former LGA chairmen.
Although, Governor Fubara had announced an interim government led by 23 caretaker chairmen but the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun had stated that the force will continue to barricade the council premises to avert possibilities of breakdown of law and order.
