Protesting youths in Obi Akpor in Rivers State, destroyed a statue erected in honour of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The protest is the latest incident following the growing tension between the supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and those of Wike.
The latest conflict was caused by the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen, believed to be allies to Wike, who Fubara directed to step down following the end of their terms.
However, these chairmen refused, arguing that their tenure had been extended by six months.
It was gathered that the extension was allegedly authorized by the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly due to the current administration’s failure to conduct timely local government elections.
Reacting to the crisis, Governor Fubara issued a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, ordering all 23 local government chairmen to hand over their duties to the Heads of Administration in their respective councils.
After the directive, youths in large numbers matched to LGA secretariats across the state and one of the places the youths stormed was Obi Akpor where Wike served as Chairman for two terms, and destroyed his statue, with one of the youths shouting, “No more Wike”.
The incident happened just when protests are holding simultaneously across Rivers.
