Supporters of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Tuesday destroyed the statue of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the Obi Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
The youths were protesting attempts by local government chairmen in the state to extend their tenure.
The LG chairmen are loyal to Wike.
DAILY POST reports that Wike and Fubara have been at loggerheads since 2023 when the both leaders fell out over control of the state’s political structure.
The political crisis took a new turn on Tuesday following the refusal of the LG chairmen to quit their offices after their tenure elapsed on Monday.
Fubara had directed the chairmen to vacate their offices but they refused, citing a six-month tenure extension granted by the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers House of Assembly.
In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, the governor directed all the 23 LG chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Administration in their respective councils.
Hours after the broadcast, the Ijaw youths stormed the LG secretariats across the state, blocking the chairmen from gaining access to their offices.
The protesters, who were at the Obi Akpor LG secretariat, where Wike once served as chairman, destroyed his statue, chanting “No more Wike”.
Video:
Happening now: Pro Sim Fubara’s supporters destroy Statue of Nyesom Wike at the headquarter of Obino/Akpor Local Government Council. pic.twitter.com/o4GByQLd5T
— Chude Nnamdi (@chude__) June 18, 2024
No more Wike – Angry youths destroy FCT Minister’s statue in Rivers [Video]