Violent confrontation as Port Harcourt LG boss attempts to access office

In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, the Chairman of the council, Allwell Ihundah, was reportedly blocked by youths from entering the council secretariat.

There was a Shooting at the premises, youths barricaded the entrance of the council and the defining shooting prompted nearby businesses to close temporarily.

This development comes on the heels of the recent expiration of the three-year term of elected local government chairmen and councillors in Rivers State, which has been marked by tensions and power struggles.

The Guardian gathered that Ihundah arrived at the council secretariat today, accompanied by his security detail, in an attempt to gain access to his office.

However, he was met with resistance from a group of youths who had begun occupying the premises on Monday and were determined to prevent him from entering.

As previously known, the three-year terms of the elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors came to an end on June 17th, as stipulated by the Constitution, marking the expiration of their tenure in office.

Despite the constitutional expiration of their terms, the Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen are refusing to vacate their offices, citing a controversial amendment to the State’s Local Government Administration Law, allegedly passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly, which they claim allows them to remain in power.

Notwithstanding, a State High Court in Port Harcourt has nullified the amendment made by the state legislature, which had sought to extend the tenure of the elected chairmen by six months, effectively declaring the extension invalid and paving the way for the chairmen’s exit.

In a statewide broadcast earlier today, Governor Siminialayi Fubara formally bid farewell to the outgoing elected chairmen and councillors, emphasizing that their legal tenure has expired and they have therefore relinquished their positions, marking the end of their term in office.

On Tuesday, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA), Allwell Ihundah, attempted to enter the council secretariat to retrieve some of his personal belongings but was confronted and prevented from doing so by a group of irate youths, who had gathered at the premises.

It was reported that in the ensuing confrontation, the police officers accompanying the Chairman began firing shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the crowd and gain access to the secretariat.

However, the youths stood their ground, refusing to back down, and the situation remained tense.

Also, in Eleme Local Government Area, some youths invaded the council secretariat chanting and saying they had taken over the seat of power.