In a show of support for the police occupation of local council secretariats in Rivers State, 21 former council chairmen and their supporters, yesterday, staged peaceful protests across the state.
The chairmen, who are resisting the expiration of their tenure on June 17, are seeking to maintain the status quo by having their time in office extended.
Their supporters, who huddled at the council secretariats, expressed delight at the police presence and action in the secretariats. The chairmen, who are contesting the “abrupt” end of their tenure, are equally elated by the police display/barricades at the secretariats pending the outcome of the suit at the Court of Appeal instituted by the Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
In Ikwerre Local Council, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, described himself as the properly elected chairman of the council, telling the Police Area Commander of Ikwerre Council that he and his supporters would never disobey the police.
Nwanosike, who led hundreds of men, women and youths, said he and his supporters embarked on the peaceful demonstration following information that some labour leaders were mobilising to harass the police out of the council.
He explained that the failure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to conduct elections in the local councils compelled the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly to amend the law granting a six-month tenure extension to the councils’ chairmen.
In Port Harcourt, another group of protesters, comprising women and youth, took to the streets to protest the planned reopening of the secretariats sealed by the police.
The protesters marched through Azikiwe Road, carrying placards with various inscriptions, as they urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to maintain peace and stability in the state by ensuring that police officers secure all council premises.
They also called on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to respect the rule of law, as the local government matter is still in court.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command, yesterday, warned against the NULGE-planned protest scheduled for June 24, 2024 being hijacked by hoodlums.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, while the Command acknowledges the right to peaceful assembly, it has received credible intelligence suggesting that the protest may be infiltrated by hoodlums aiming to cause chaos and destruction in the state. The Command, therefore urge the public to exercise caution and remain vigilant to ensure the safety of all.
