One Dead, Several Injured in Port Harcourt Local Government Secretariat Clash.
One person has been reported dead and several others injured following a violent clash at the Port Harcourt Local Government Secretariat in Rivers State. The confrontation erupted on Tuesday morning when a group of youths stormed the secretariat, resisting police efforts to take control of the building.
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According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the unrest followed a directive from Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who, in a recent state broadcast, ordered Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume leadership of the 23 council areas. This directive came in response to the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
The youths, allegedly backed by supporters of Governor Fubara, encountered forceful resistance from the police. Reports indicate that gunshots were fired, and expended shell casings were found at the scene. The unarmed youths expressed their outrage at the police’s use of force, questioning the justification for such measures.
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The conflict originates from a court ruling recognising a three-man House of Assembly, which annulled a tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike. Despite the court’s decision, the chairmen insisted on remaining in office for an additional six months, leading Governor Fubara to declare their tenure expired as of June 17.
On Monday, similar unrest was reported as youths took over secretariats in Degema and Asari-Toru councils, demanding the immediate exit of the chairmen and officials.
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Credit/ Source: NAN.
