Rivers: Rights group warns ex-council chairmen against anarchy

Published June 19,2024

The Southern Post online-

The Human Rights Advocacy Network (HRAN), a prominent international human rights organization, has issued a strong caution to the former chairmen of various local government councils in Rivers State to refrain from actions that could incite anarchy or crisis in the region.

HRAN also called on security agencies, such as the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to take proactive measures to prevent any disruptions to law and order.

The official tenure of the local government council chairmen ended on June 17, 2024. However, Chidi Lloyd, the Emohua Local Council Chairman, along with others from the Ikwerre ethnic group, have refused to vacate their positions, citing an alleged six-month extension granted by the state assembly.

In a statement released by Mr. David Mathew, the Country Representative of HRAN, it was clarified that the supposed extension by the now-defunct Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly had been invalidated by a competent court.

The organization highlighted the potential threats posed by the former chairmen's actions to the peace and stability of Rivers State. HRAN emphasized the need for adherence to the rule of law and urged security agencies to monitor the situation closely to prevent any breach of legal protocols.

Reports of local unrest have emerged, with youths demonstrating at the entrances of certain local government secretariats. The situation has led to concerns about potential security risks in the state.

The situation has already sparked local unrest, with youths blocking the main entrances to the Degema and Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) secretariats, demanding the departure of the council chairmen.

The ongoing situation has led to local unrest, as youths have blocked the main entrances to the Degema and Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) secretariats, demanding the removal of the council chairmen.

Armed youths, believed to be surveillance workers, have been observed patrolling the creeks of riverine local councils in videos circulating online.

Recently, a state High Court in Port Harcourt invalidated the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which extended the tenure of the 23 local council chairmen by six months.

An Appeal Court ruling over the weekend advised both parties to maintain the status quo, resulting in conflicting interpretations by factions aligned with the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

‘We only eat to survive, not satisfactorily,’ Nigerians decry rising cost of foodstuff

Some Nigerians living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed worry over the continuous increase in the prices of foodstuffs and other commodities this Eid-el Kabir festive season.

A visit to some markets in Abuja and its environs showed that the prices of goods have continued to rise.

Some respondents told journalists at Dutse Market in Bwari Area Council that meeting their family needs was becoming increasingly difficult due to lean resources.

Mohammed Rabiu, a buyer, said it was unfortunate that he could not afford the feeding needs of his family due to the high price of food items.

Mr Rabiu pleaded for government intervention by using relevant instruments and institutions to lower the cost of goods.

“A lot of people are ceasing the economic situation to dupe others and blame it on fuel subsidy removal.

“I witnessed how somebody will keep what she bought previously at a certain amount but refuse to sell those items.

“Let the government monitor the market to control the prices of goods. This will help a lot in curtailing the rising cost of things,’’ he said.

Similarly, when asked how she was coping with the economy, Amina Bawa, another buyer, said, “When I hear prices of foodstuffs, I feel like committing suicide. But I can’t because it is not a good thing to do.

“I can’t remember the last time I ate to my satisfaction; I only eat to survive,” she said.

Another respondent, Idris Bello, urged government agencies to see the need for a regulatory system in the country to avoid the unnecessary hike in food items and all goods and services.

However, a vegetable seller, Mallam Yahaya, said, “I am just trying to find happiness in my business since I don’t want to be idle. Making a profit in this business is now a herculean task.”

Another petty trader, Hajiya Hassana, told journalists that the prices of foodstuffs were now determined by what wholesalers sell to retailers.

“I know some buyers may blame us because they don’t know how we get these goods from the wholesalers; the challenge is transporting them to the market.

“It has not been like this before; things just changed automatically since the removal of the fuel subsidy,” she said.

Nevertheless, Ms Hassana said she was trying to satisfy her customers and ensure she made some gains.

(NAN)