Rivers LGA crisis: Youths ‘take over’ Eleme council Secretariat

Angry youths of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Tuesday, occupied the Council Secretariat and pledged allegiance to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the only recognized authority.

This was after the immediate past Chairman of the local government area, Obarilomate Ollor, threatened to deal with anybody who moved close to the council to foment trouble.

In a viral video on Monday, Ollor was seen saying his tenure had not expired and he could not be forced out of office.

But the youths stormed the council secretariat after the governor’s statewide broadcast, where he directed Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the leadership of the 23 LGAs.

The youths in their hundreds moved round the council premises stating that they would not allow anyone take away what belonged to the council.

One of the youths who preferred not to be named said they were at the council secretariat to ensure that the directive of the governor was obeyed.

He said: “All of them have disappeared, because we have come to take over. The governor is the power that we know. We have taken over Eleme. Total take over.

“The governor is the power we know, there is no other power. We have taken over Eleme. Eleme is taken. Their tenure has elapsed, they should go home.”