Chijioke Ihunwo, the newly inaugurated chairperson of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, has made a bold move by ordering the removal of Nyesom Wike’s name from an administrative building at the council’s secretariat. The building, once named after Wike, will now be known as “Obi Wali House.” This decision comes amid heightened political tensions in the area, following local elections that faced security challenges.
Just hours before Ihunwo’s directive, suspected hoodlums set fire to the secretariats of Ikwerre and Emohua local governments. The absence of police security during the elections, due to a court order, raised concerns over the safety of the process. However, following the election, the police lifted the seal on all council secretariats in the state, allowing normal operations to resume.
Ihunwo’s swift action in renaming the building is one of his first moves after being elected in a controversial local poll. This decision appears to reflect political dynamics in Rivers State, where Wike, the current FCT Minister, has been a significant figure.
The recent attacks on the Ikwerre and Emohua local government secretariats in Rivers State have escalated tensions within the region, reflecting ongoing political and security challenges. In a video shared on social media, Chimenem Ihunwo, the chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government, expressed his determination to protect his council and criticized the perceived political dominance of Nyesom Wike, the former governor of Rivers State.
Ihunwo also announced the renaming of the council’s administrative block, originally named after Wike, to “Obi Wali House” in honor of the late Senator Obi Wali, a significant political figure from the region. The renaming underscores the tension between Ihunwo’s faction and Wike’s political influence. Wike, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, currently holds a prominent national position as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yet his relationship with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has been contentious, with both vying for control over the state’s political apparatus.
The attacks on local government properties and Ihunwo’s statements highlight not only the political struggles but also the security vulnerabilities in the region, as local leaders call for neutrality from the police amid rising tensions.