In the small town of Buguma, the birthplace of Asari-Toru LGA in Nigeria, a scene of political excitement has recently captivated residents. Supporters of former local President, Onengiyeofori George, have gathered to express their support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Walking the streets of the city, they sang in unison, carrying signs calling on the police to maintain their presence at the local council headquarters.
The messages displayed on the signs were unequivocal, demanding that “Sim Fubara cannot do as he pleases” and stating that “there is no vacancy on the Asari-Toru council.” Despite warnings from the Rivers State Police Command against protests, former pro-Wike LGA leaders have defied the bans to express their support.
Another protest took place at Abonnema, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA, in favor of the continued closure of the council premises by the police. Control of the secretariats of the 23 LGAs in the Delta region of southern Nigeria was taken over by the security forces last week due to the crisis caused by the expiration of the three-year term of office of former presidents of LGA, resulting in three deaths.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara hastily appointed 23 caretaker committee chairmen, but police continue to block access to council premises to prevent further trouble. Addressing the new chairman of caretaker committees, Governor Fubara advised to work remotely if they feared their presence would disrupt peace in the state.
He said: “Let me also advise you, that when you resume your duties in your respective communities, I do not want to see any confrontation. It is not in my nature, it is not my style. Whatever it happened yesterday, I know it, the world knows that it did not come from you. Let me also advise you that when you resume your functions in your respective communities, I do not want to see any confrontation. in my nature, it’s not my style.”
Thus, the tense political situation in the region continues to give rise to reactions and tensions. The demonstrations and the actions of local authorities show the importance of the issues at stake and the urgency of finding peaceful solutions to preserve the stability of the region. Dialogue and collaboration between different actors could prove essential to guarantee a peaceful and prosperous future for all the region’s inhabitants.