Port Harcourt, June 18 – Tensions soared at the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State today following a dramatic incident involving the LGA chairman, Hon Allwell Ihundah.
Heavy shooting was reported as Ihundah attempted to access his office, leading to temporary business closures in the vicinity.
According to eyewitness accounts, Ihundah arrived at the council secretariat this morning with his security personnel, intending to enter his office.
However, he was met with resistance from local youths who had occupied the premises since Monday.
This confrontation quickly escalated, prompting Ihundah's police detail to discharge their firearms into the air in an attempt to disperse the youths, who steadfastly resisted.
The backdrop of this altercation is a constitutional and legislative dispute. The three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen and councillors expired on June 17, as mandated by the constitution.
Despite this, several LGA officials, including Ihundah, have refused to vacate their offices, citing an alleged amendment to the Local Government Administration Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led State Assembly, which purportedly extended their terms by six months.
Contradicting this stance, a State High Court in Port Harcourt recently invalidated the amendment.
Furthermore, Governor Siminialayi Fubara, in a statewide broadcast this morning, declared that the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors had officially ended.
Amid these conflicting directives, Ihundah's attempt to retrieve his personal belongings from the office was met with fierce opposition from the youths, leading to the violent incident.
The situation remains tense, with local businesses temporarily shuttered in response to the unrest.
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