The political tension in Rivers escalated on Tuesday as residents protested at the LGA secretariats in the state.
Police officers reportedly fired multiple shots into the air to disperse protesters at the various LGA headquarters, including the Port Harcourt council secretariat. The residents are protesting against the reported attempts by the former LGA chairpersons to return to office.
Governor Siminalari Fubara during a statewide broadcast, asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.
The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and councilors ended on Monday.
Despite the governor’s directive, Allwell Ihunda, former chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, reportedly made his way to the council secretariat on Monday but was chased away by youths.