A statue of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was torn down by irate youths during a protest in Obi Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The protest stemmed from a heated dispute over the tenure of local government chairmen.
This unrest underscores the escalating tension between supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those of Nyesom Wike, who succeeded Fubara as governor of Rivers State three months ago.
Although the relationship between the two has been strained by several heated exchanges, it appeared to have stabilized until this recent conflict.
The current dispute erupted following the expiration of the local government chairmen’s tenures.
Governor Fubara instructed the chairmen, many of whom are Wike allies, to vacate their positions at the end of their terms. However, the chairmen refused, claiming their tenure had been extended by six months.
This extension was reportedly sanctioned by the pro-Wike faction in the Rivers State House of Assembly due to the Fubara administration’s failure to conduct timely local government elections.
In response to the mounting crisis, Governor Fubara issued a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, directing all 23 local government chairmen to hand over their duties to the Heads of Administration in their respective councils.
Following the directive, large numbers of youths gathered at local government secretariats across the state.
In Obi-Akpor, where Wike had served two terms as Chairman, some youths dismantled a statue erected in his honor.
One of the protestors was heard shouting, “No more Wike,” while others joined in dismantling the statue. Another protestor removed the hat that fell off during the destruction and slammed it on the ground.
This incident occurred amid simultaneous protests across Rivers State.
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