The chairman of a local government in Rivers State has mandated the removal of ex-Governor Wike’s name from the council building, reflecting ongoing political discord.
Chijioke Ihunwo, recently inaugurated as the chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, has promptly directed that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s name be removed from an administrative building at the council’s secretariat.
The building formerly named after Wike will now be known as “Obi Wali House.”
This directive followed Ihunwo’s visit to the secretariat on Monday, mere hours after alleged hoodlums set fire to the secretariats of Ikwerre and Emohua local governments.
Ihunwo’s decision is one of his first official actions after being elected in a local election held on Saturday.
Tensions escalated during the election when police, acting on a court order, prohibited officers from securing the polling stations.
The lack of security raised significant concerns, and once the elections were over, the police removed the seal from all council secretariats in the state.
Regrettably, the absence of security personnel enabled vandals to attack the Ikwerre and Emohua secretariats, resulting in considerable damage.
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The renaming of the administrative block by Ihunwo, along with the recent attacks on local government properties, underscores the persistent political and security challenges in Rivers State.
In a video posted on his X handle on Monday, Ihunwo advised the Rivers State Police Command to remain neutral.
“We are committed to defending our local government, even if it means risking everything. They’ve already destroyed the Ikwerre and Emouhua council secretariats, but we stand prepared.”
Pointing to the top of a duplex at the council secretariat, he remarked, “This name here,” referring to an inscription that read “Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike ADMIN BLOCK.”
“He (Wike) doesn’t give the people a moment of peace. Therefore, as the chairperson of the council, I have decided to rename it Obi Wali House,” he announced to enthusiastic cheers from those present.
He announced that the changes would be implemented tomorrow morning and dared anyone to contest his decision.
Wike initially held the position of chairperson for two consecutive terms on the Obio/Akpor local government council, concluding his service in 2007.
Subsequently, he was appointed as chief of staff to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi. He served in this role prior to being named minister of state for Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Jonathan’s wife, Patience, originally from Rivers State, assisted Mr. Wike in becoming the governor of the oil-rich state in 2015.
He was reelected in 2019 and served until 2023, after which President Bola Tinubu appointed him as the Minister of FCT.
Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have been clashing over control of the political landscape in Rivers.
The late Mr. Wali was originally from Obio/Akpor and was elected as a senator to represent the Port Harcourt District.
The senator was found dead in his bedroom at home, presumably murdered by assassins on April 26, 1993.
In honor of his political and literary contributions, the Rivers State Government inaugurated the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt as a memorial in 2014.
