Newly inaugurated chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has ordered that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s name be erased from the building in the council secretariat.
Ihunwo, who accused Wike of threatening democracy, orders that the Secretariat block hitherto named after Wike be renamed “Obi Wali House.”
The chairperson was at the secretariat about an hour after the Ikwerre and Emohua local government secretariats were set ablaze by hoodlums.
Ihunwo was elected chairperson in the local election conducted on Saturday. The police barred officers from providing security for the election, citing a court order.
After the elections, the police unsealed all the council secretariats in Rivers.
The hoodlums, who attacked the two council secretariats, had a field day after the police operatives left.
“I want to advise Rivers State Police Command, let them be neutral,” Mr Ihunwo said in a video posted on his X handle on Monday.
“For this local government, we will protect and die,” he added. “They have burnt Ikwerre, and Emouhua (council secretariats). We are ready for them,” he said, daring the hoodlums.
“This name here,” he said, pointing to the top of a duplex in the council secretariat with the inscription “Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike ADMIN BLOCK.”
“He (Wike) does not allow the people to rest. On that note, as the chairperson of the council I have renamed it Obi Wali House,” he said amidst cheers.
He said the changes would be made tomorrow morning and dared anyone to challenge his decision.