Rivers Crisis: Nwanosike Explains His Refusal to Vacate Ikwerre LG Secretariat

The former chairman of Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, has vowed not to vacate the council secretariat following the expiration of his tenure on Monday, saying until the Appeal Court gives its judgement on the appeal on the status of the 25 members of the State House of Assembly on Thursday.

Nwanosike was among three former LGA chairmen, who vowed not to vacate their offices even after the expiration of their tenure on June 17, 2024, on the basis that a faction of the House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, had extended their tenure by six months.

It was observed that the former council boss and his supporters Tuesday morning occupied the main entrance to the council secretariat and vowed to remain there until Thursday.

Speaking to journalists, Nwanosike accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, of using gunmen to break into local government secretariats in the state, to loot public properties.

He said: “These people are led by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, and they are going from local government to local government, breaking council secretariats, looting council properties and you say Governor Fubara is the best for democracy.

“We are calling on Me President that this is the best time Nigerian constitution should be upheld. The governor of Rivers State has brought back full-blown insecurity into Rivers State. He has gone to the creeks, he has hired gunmen, they are shooting at local government chairmen, they are shooting at local government councils, they have taken over councils. They even shot policemen.

“Sponsored by the governor and Edison Ehie. It is a shame. We will sit at this council gate to wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal that says status quo should be maintained.”