Rivers LG boss orders removal of Wike’s name from council building

Chijioke Ihunwo, the newly inaugurated chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, has taken swift action by ordering the removal of the name of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, from an administrative building in the council’s secretariat.

The building, previously named after Wike, will now be called “Obi Wali House.”

This directive came shortly after Ihunwo’s visit to the secretariat on Monday, just hours after suspected hoodlums set fire to the secretariats of Ikwerre and Emohua local governments.

Ihunwo’s decision marks one of his first official acts following his election in a local poll conducted on Saturday.

Tensions had risen during the election as the police, citing a court order, barred officers from providing security at the polling stations.

The absence of security led to heightened concerns, and after the elections concluded, the police lifted the seal on all council secretariats in the state.

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Unfortunately, the lack of security presence allowed hoodlums to attack the Ikwerre and Emohua secretariats, causing significant damage.

Ihunwo’s renaming of the administrative block and the recent attacks on local government properties highlight the ongoing political and security challenges in Rivers State.

Ihunwo said in a video posted on his x handle on Monday, “I want to advise Rivers State Police Command, let them be neutral.

“For this local government, we will protect and die, they have burnt Ikwerre, and Emouhua (council secretariats). We are ready for them.”

“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.

Wike first served as chairperson of Obio/Akpor local government council for two terms ending in 2007.

He was thereafter appointed as chief of staff to then-Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, a position he served before he was appointed as minister of state for Education under the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan’s wife, Patience, who hails from Rivers State, helped Mr Wike to become the governor of the oil-rich state in 2015.

He was reelected in 2019 serving through 2023 after which he was appointed the minister of FCT by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been fighting each other over the control of the political structure in Rivers.

Late Mr Wali hailed from Obio/Akpor. He was elected senator to represent Port Harcourt District.

The late senator was murdered at home in his bedroom by suspected assassins on 26 April 1993.

In his memorial, the Rivers State Government in 2014 commissioned the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt to honour his political and literary contributions.