Former local government chairmen have raised serious accusations against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, claiming he orchestrated an attack on the residence of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The ex-officials, who served during Wike’s tenure as governor, have threatened to retaliate if the situation escalates.
On Tuesday, a group of hunger protesters marched to Wike’s house on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt, chanting aggressive slogans and calling the former governor derogatory names. The situation became tense as the protesters tried to breach Wike’s residence, but the police intervened to prevent any damage.
On Wednesday, under the banner of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State chapter, the former local government chairmen accused Governor Fubara of being behind the attack.
Dr. Chidi Lloyd, the former chairman of Emuoha Local Government Area, stated, “We are aware that he (Fubara) directed the protesters to go to the residence of the minister. We will also organise our people and go to Forces Avenue where he is building on a 32-plot of land.”
The ex-chairmen expressed their anger, warning that they would not tolerate further aggression from the state government. They also criticized Fubara’s leadership, accusing him of mismanaging state funds and attempting to incite ethnic tensions in the region.
However, the state government quickly responded to these allegations. Joseph Johnson, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, dismissed the claims, saying the former chairmen were overstepping their bounds.
“They are like ordinary citizens,” Johnson remarked, questioning the validity of their accusations.
Johnson further suggested that the ex-chairmen were attempting to create chaos in the state by turning the protests into a larger conflict. He referred to their actions as “the last kick of a dying horse,” emphasizing that their influence had waned since their tenure ended.
