In the video seen by SaharaReporters, gunshots subduing the voices of the protesters heralded the council area as some fully armed police officers could be seen in action.

There is chaos in the Port Harcourt City council of Rivers State after a video footage showed supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara who were agitated, saying that some policemen allegedly sent by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike were shooting at them.

In the video seen by SaharaReporters, gunshots subduing the voices of the protesters heralded the council area as some fully armed police officers could be seen in action

One of the protesters said, “The tenure of local government chairmen has elapsed and we are in the council hall, we came as citizens of Nigeria to protect the interests of the governor. 

“We stand here as Ijaw youths for peace so that there will be peace and tranquility, but Wike’s police are shooting at us. The commander is here.”

Another protester said, “We came here for a peaceful protest but they came and started shooting at us. We are calling on the IGP to redeploy the commander with immediate effect.

We don’t know if the Commissioner of Police is aware of this. They are shooting us directly.

“Youths, mothers, fathers are here to support the governor of this state but they came and they are shooting at us the people of Rivers State.”

One of the protesters said “they shot me but it did not penetrate me.”

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Governor Fubara issued a directive for heads of local government administration to assume control of the state’s 23 council areas. 

The governor’s move comes in response to the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councilors.

In a broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Fubara instructed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the councils promptly and with renewed commitment. 

He emphasised the importance of upholding the constitution and maintaining law and order, urging HLGAs to provide continued leadership in their respective areas.

A significant transition crisis has erupted across Rivers State’s 23 local governments. 

On Monday, anxiety gripped Degema and Asari-Toru councils as youths seized control of their secretariats following the end of the tenure of chairmen, councillors, and other officials.

Amidst the crisis, tensions increased following reports of armed youths in riverine areas and rumours that the governor had submitted names for seven-man caretaker committees to lawmakers for screening.

With the daily escalation of the crisis in Rivers State, the political and economic atmosphere of the state is gradually being jeopardised, thereby complicating the livelihood of the people of the state amid the harsh national economic reality.