In a recent statement, Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives and spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has accused supporters of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister, of instigating violent attacks on local government secretariats in Rivers State.
On Monday, hoodlums targeted and set ablaze three local government secretariats located in Emohua, Eleme, and Ikwerre. These incidents occurred shortly after Governor Siminalayi Fubara inaugurated 23 newly elected local government chairpersons following elections held on Saturday.
The local council elections resulted in the Action Peoples Party (APP) claiming victory in 22 local government areas, while the Action Alliance (AA) secured one. Notably, Fubara’s supporters had aligned with the APP weeks prior to the elections to obtain party nominations.
Ugochinyere, who represents the Ideato federal constituency of Imo State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in Wike. He expressed concern that the attacks on the local government offices might be a strategy to instigate a state of emergency in Rivers.
“Supporters of a current minister in your administration are allegedly involved in setting fire to government offices, while the police have remained inactive,” Ugochinyere stated. “Mr. President, this situation is reminiscent of past crises in Nigeria, which led to dire consequences. Immediate action is required to halt the chaos instigated by these overnight supporters.”
He emphasized that the inauguration of the newly elected local government chairmen is irreversible, asserting, “No amount of aggression from Wike’s faction can alter the legitimacy of the elected officials or topple Governor Fubara’s administration.”
The lawmaker criticized the notion that a state of emergency could be declared based on these violent acts. He described such thoughts as misguided, suggesting that attempts to manipulate the situation for personal gain could jeopardize the entire democratic framework in Nigeria.
Ugochinyere’s statements come amid an ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and Wike, who is striving to maintain influence in Rivers State’s political landscape. The lead-up to the local government elections was fraught with controversy, including conflicting court decisions that created a complex backdrop for the electoral process.
Despite a high court ruling on September 4 that allowed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct elections using the 2023 voter register, a subsequent ruling on September 30 barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the necessary voter register and restricted security forces from ensuring election safety.
Ultimately, the elections proceeded without the official voter register and police presence, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
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