FUBARA'S SUPPORTERS ACCUSE POLICE, AMAEWHULE OF DISRUPTING RIVERS HEALTHCARE PROGRAMME

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Supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara claimed harassment and intimidation in some regions of the state on Wednesday, raising the possibility that a new crisis is developing in Rivers State.

A group of people who support Governor Fubara were allegedly mistreated and driven out of a place in Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Administration Area, over the weekend, where they were supposed to pick up food supplies that the state administration was going to deliver.

Similar instances have also been reported in Eliozu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, and Apani village, both in Ikwerre Local Government Area.

Pro-Fubara politicians in both regions were supposed to attend events on Wednesday. Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, they were appointed as Caretaker Committee Chairmen.

A pro-Fubara politician from Obio/Akpor named Chijioke Ihunwo said that armed police officers were responsible for the disturbance in Eliozu, despite the fact that the specifics of the Apani event are yet unknown.

Ihunwo claimed that the police had fired shots into the air and released tear gas to scatter people attending a healthcare program held at the Eliozu Primary Healthcare Center by the State Ministry of Health. The police allegedly did this on the orders of Martin Amaeehule, the Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Legislature.

Martin Amaewhule resides in Eliozu, which is also the neighboring town of Rumunduru, the birthplace of Chijioke Ihunwo.

In view of the Supreme Court ruling, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, passed a motion on Monday asking the police to detain anybody posing as interim committee chairs.

It’s unclear whether the reported instances are a reaction to this instruction.

Martin Amaewhule and the police have not responded to these accusations in a formal manner.