Youths in the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the Kalabari ethnic group on Monday occupied their council secretariats to demand the vacation of the council chairmen from office. The LGAs are Degema, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru.
Amateur videos obtained by Channels Television showed that some of the youths mobilised to block the entrance to the council complexes and requested traders within the premises to leave.
Meanwhile, a former Niger Delta agitator, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, who is from the ethnic group, is advising elected chairmen of the 23 LGAs in the state to quietly leave office by midnight on Monday as their three-year tenure expires.
He said that despite arguments from the chairmen, they must leave office to avoid creating fundamental problems in the state. Asari stressed the importance of adhering to the stipulated tenure limits in the Local Government Law of 2018 to maintain order and legality.
Asari stated this on the sidelines of a visit by the Muslim community to Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
He specifically addressed the youths, cautioning them against being recruited to disrupt the peace of the state during this transition period.
Asari Dokubo said that the people of the state are willing to take over council secretariats from tomorrow till the state government is ready to conduct the local government election.
The former militant re-echoed the importance of peaceful transitions and the role of citizens in upholding the democratic process.
Asari’s comments reflect the people’s concern for maintaining stability and preventing any potential conflicts during this period.
The political landscape in Rivers State remains tense as the clock ticks faster.
The visit by the Muslim community highlighted the need for unity and peaceful coexistence in the state.
The Vice President General of the state Council of Islamic Affairs commended Fubara for his inclusive approach to religious diversity.
He noted that there have been no attacks on the Muslim community nor conflicts with other religious organisations.
The governor encouraged the Muslim community to show love and care for one another. He promised to foster more peaceful coexistence among all religious groups in the state.
Fubara also pledged to address the requests of Muslim leaders, including the construction of a central mosque in Port Harcourt and the establishment of a mosque at state university for Muslim students.
The governor noted that the preaching of the word of God can lead to behavioural changes that reduce crime rates.
Reflecting on his achievements, which the Muslim community acknowledged, the governor mentioned that public opinion rates him as the best-performing first-term governor.
He vowed to maintain the momentum to leave a better the state. He urged the Muslim community to continue praying for his administration, expressing confidence that with God’s support, he has the majority’s backing.
The state leader acknowledged that his opponents might attempt to disrupt his efforts, but assured that they would not succeed in their negative plans.
