The crisis following the expiration of the tenures of Local Government Council Chairmen in Rivers State, has taken another dimension, as police, youths and other citizens occupied 21 council secretariats on Tuesday, resisting the outgoing chairmen and their supporters from gaining entry to the offices.

Governor Fubara, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday morning dissolved the councils citing the Nigerian constitution on the tenure of local government administration and directed’ the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately step in and take charge of the councils’ affairs.

The insistence by some of the outgoing  chairmen to remain in office, citing the law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly which extended their tenures by six months, incited the crisis Tuesday.

Recalled that the outgoing Emohua council chairman, Chidi Lloyd, had announced in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bright Jossy, that the council will begin the distribution of cutlasses and hoes to farmers from Tuesday June 18 and it’s expected to last for one week. His Khana LGA counterpart, Bariere Thomas, announced a one-week clean-up exercise in the council billed to commence Tuesday.

Governor Fubara, in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday morning dissolved the councils citing the Nigerian constitution on the tenure of local government administration and directed’ the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately step in and take charge of the councils’ affairs.

The insistence by some of the outgoing  chairmen to remain in office, citing the law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly which extended their tenures by six months, incited the crisis Tuesday.

Recalled that the outgoing Emohua council chairman, Chidi Lloyd, had announced in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bright Jossy, that the council will begin the distribution of cutlasses and hoes to farmers from Tuesday June 18 and it’s expected to last for one week. His Khana LGA counterpart, Bariere Thomas, announced a one-week clean-up exercise in the council billed to commence Tuesday.

Also, the former Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Nwanosike Samuel had announced a one-week cultural festival in the council beginning Tuesday June 18, while the former Eleme council Chairman, Barilormate Ollor, warned youths and others to steer clear of the council secretariat if they did not want to meet their forefathers.

THISDAY observed that early on Tuesday, youths and other citizens of the state besieged the various councils, denying the outgoing leadership access to the various council secretariats. The resistance also caused tension, as protest spread across the 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the elected Chairmen of LGAs and ward councillors.

At Omuma LGA, a policeman and a member of Omuma Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) were reportedly killed by yet to be identified gunmen, following shootings that erupted in the area.

At Obio-Akpor Local Government secretariat Tuesday morning, scores of youth and women besieged the premises and pulled down an image of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

One of the youths who refused to mention his name told journalists that they besieged the secretariat to ensure that the former chairman and his allies did not loot council properties.

Also, the former Chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Nwanosike Samuel had announced a one-week cultural festival in the council beginning Tuesday June 18, while the former Eleme council Chairman, Barilormate Ollor, warned youths and others to steer clear of the council secretariat if they did not want to meet their forefathers.

THISDAY observed that early on Tuesday, youths and other citizens of the state besieged the various councils, denying the outgoing leadership access to the various council secretariats. The resistance also caused tension, as protest spread across the 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the elected Chairmen of LGAs and ward councillors.

At Omuma LGA, a policeman and a member of Omuma Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC) were reportedly killed by yet to be identified gunmen, following shootings that erupted in the area.

At Obio-Akpor Local Government secretariat Tuesday morning, scores of youth and women besieged the premises and pulled down an image of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.

One of the youths who refused to mention his name told journalists that they besieged the secretariat to ensure that the former chairman and his allies did not loot council properties.

The State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara has assured that he will fearlessly lead the way to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the State, stressing that his government will resist arrest of any of his supporters.