A new crisis appears to be emerging in Rivers State, as supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara reported harassment and intimidation across the state on Wednesday.
Over the weekend, a group of Governor Fubara supporters were allegedly harassed and chased away from a place in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, where they were scheduled to receive food items donated by the state government.
Similar instances have occurred in the Apani village, Ikwerre Local Government Area, and Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
In both areas, pro-Fubara lawmakers who had been appointed as Caretaker Committee Chairmen prior to the Supreme Court decision were slated to attend events on Wednesday.
While the circumstances of the Apani incident are unknown, Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician from Obio/Akpor, claims armed police officers caused the disruption in Eliozu.
Ihunwo claimed that the police, acting on the orders of the Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers, Martin Amaeehule, fired shots into the air and released tear gas to disperse residents attending a healthcare programme organised by the State Ministry of Health at the Eliozu Primary Healthcare Centre.
Martin Amaewhule lives in Eliozu, which is a neighbouring settlement to Rumunduru, the hometown of Chijioke Ihunwo.
In view of the Supreme Court decision, the Rivers State House of Assembly, chaired by Martin Amaewhule, passed a motion on Monday directing police to arrest anyone purporting to be caretaker committee chairman.
It’s unclear whether the occurrences being reported are in response to this direction.
Neither the police nor Martin Amaewhule have issued an official reaction to the charges.