“Rivers LG Chairman Slams Wike: ‘Sponsoring Violence Won’t Destroy Local Government'”

Babatunji Wusu –

• Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo accused Nyesom Wike of threatening democracy in Nigeria.
• He asserted that the local government structure in Rivers State is resilient and cannot be dismantled.
• Ihunwo condemned the violence surrounding the recent local government elections, particularly an arson attack at the Eleme secretariat.
• He urged citizens to carry on with their daily lives, calling the situation laughable and indicative of Wike’s previous actions in the political landscape.

Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo, the Chairman of Obio/Akpo Local Government Area in Rivers State, has publicly accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of undermining democracy in Nigeria. His remarks were made during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday.

Ihunwo asserted that no one can dismantle the local government structure, emphasizing its long-standing presence in the region. His statement comes amid escalating political tensions in Rivers State following the recent local government elections, which were marred by violence, including an arson attack at the Eleme local government secretariat shortly after the newly-elected chairman, Brian Gokpa, assumed office.

Addressing the ongoing crisis, Ihunwo stated, “We want to tell Nigerians that nobody can destroy our Local Government. The local government has always been here even before the Minister of the FCT became chairman. Sponsoring violence across local governments is laughable. Wike is threatening democracy in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu.”

He reassured citizens that they could continue their daily activities without fear, dismissing the turmoil as a product of irrational behavior. “Two people can’t be mad at the same time. What’s happening in Rivers is more or less laughable,” he added.

Ihunwo further remarked on Wike’s previous political maneuvers, stating, “What goes around comes around. Wike did the same to Rotimi Amaechi. Today, Rivers people are reacting to him because he has refused to let Rivers State be. He wants it to be his private industry, but we said no.”