TENSION! Pro-Wike Groups Demand 'State of Emergency' in Rivers State Amid Rising Political Tensions

Political tensions in Rivers State have reached a critical level, with Pro-Wike groups now calling for a declaration of a state of emergency. The demand follows widespread unrest and allegations of electoral malpractice in the recently concluded local government elections, which saw the Action People's Party (APP) win 22 out of 23 chairmanship seats. The elections, conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), have been marred by accusations of voter suppression, court order violations, and organized violence.

Pro-Wike factions, aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, are leading the charge against the newly elected local government officials, claiming the election process was illegal and riddled with irregularities. Kenneth Yowika, the Publicity Secretary of the Wike-led PDP faction, reiterated the group's stance, describing the election as a "sham" and accusing the Rivers State government, under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of blatant disregard for a Federal High Court ruling that had barred the elections.

"Rivers State is on the verge of a complete breakdown of law and order," Yowika declared during a press briefing. "The people of Rivers have been subjected to an undemocratic process, and if immediate action is not taken, we risk plunging the state into uncontrollable violence."

The Pro-Wike groups are calling on the federal government to intervene by declaring a state of emergency to restore peace and order. They argue that the political atmosphere in Rivers has become too volatile for normal governance to proceed. According to their spokespersons, only a state of emergency can safeguard the democratic rights of the people and ensure that the leadership crisis in the state is addressed fairly.

In a further escalation of the crisis, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area has become a flashpoint of violence, with thugs reportedly blocking the newly sworn-in council chairman from accessing the local government secretariat. The incident occurred shortly after Governor Fubara had sworn in the council chairmen across the state.

Eyewitness reports suggest that the thugs, allegedly supporters of the Pro-Wike faction, have taken control of the Ogu/Bolo secretariat, preventing the newly elected chairman from entering his office. The thugs, heavily armed and organized, have vowed to resist the inauguration of the new council leadership, claiming they are acting to protect the interests of the people.

"These elections were fraudulent, and we cannot allow someone who was illegally imposed on us to take office," a supporter of the group said on condition of anonymity. "We will not back down until justice is served."

The blockade has intensified tensions in the local government area, with reports of gunfire and clashes between the supporters of the opposing political camps. The unrest has spread to other parts of the state, as similar acts of violence and protest have been reported in several local government areas. Residents of Ogu/Bolo and neighboring communities are living in fear, with many abandoning their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

Calls for Federal Intervention Amid Rising Violence

Amid the growing unrest, political analysts and civil society groups are warning that the situation could spiral out of control if immediate steps are not taken to restore peace. Several Pro-Wike groups have issued public statements accusing the Fubara-led administration of failing to maintain security and accusing RSIEC of acting in the interest of the governor’s political allies.

Meanwhile, Governor Fubara, during the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected chairmen, called for peace and urged the chairmen to avoid confrontation with their political opponents. "We are entering a season of transformation where democracy must thrive. However, I call on everyone to maintain peace as we work together for the betterment of Rivers State," Fubara said.

Despite the governor's appeal, Pro-Wike groups insist that his administration is complicit in the electoral chaos, and they are ramping up their demands for federal intervention. Nyesom Wike's supporters have openly accused the Rivers State government of orchestrating the violence to silence opposition and forcefully impose their candidates across the state.

"The thugs preventing our candidates from assuming office are acting with impunity because they know the state government is behind them," an APC factional leader loyal to Wike stated during a recent media engagement. "This is why we are calling for a state of emergency—so that an impartial authority can step in to stop this madness."