On Wednesday, a violent clash erupted in Rivers State when supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike confronted each other in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The conflict occurred during a government medical outreach in the Eliozu community, which is part of Obio/Akpor LGA.
The clash began at the Eliozu Health Centre, where the state Ministry of Health was conducting a medical outreach specifically for women. Trouble started when some supporters, who were reportedly aligned with Martin Amaewhule, the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, arrived at the health centre to investigate the purpose of the gathering. Amaewhule’s residence is nearby, and he leads a group of 27 lawmakers who support Wike.
At the same time, supporters of Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA and a loyalist of Governor Fubara, were present at the venue. These Fubara supporters allegedly prevented Amaewhule’s group from entering, leading to a heated argument. The situation quickly escalated into a full-blown clash as stones were thrown from various directions, disrupting the medical outreach.
The chaos attracted the attention of anti-riot police, who were called to the scene to restore order. To disperse the clashing groups, the police used tear gas. During the clash, a baby was reportedly tear-gassed and lost consciousness. This incident forced the medical outreach to be relocated to a state-owned medical facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt, where the event was eventually conducted.
In response to the violence, Chijioke Ihunwo accused Martin Amaewhule of instigating the disruption. Ihunwo claimed that Amaewhule led security personnel to the health centre with the intention of sabotaging the outreach. He alleged that the police, under Amaewhule’s influence, started assaulting women and using tear gas indiscriminately, including targeting pregnant women. Ihunwo called on President Bola Tinubu to address the situation, expressing concerns about the police’s actions and urging the President to ensure that peace is restored in Rivers State. Ihunwo emphasized that the local government area should not be subjected to such disorder and that the authorities should focus on their responsibilities without interfering in the state’s affairs.
The state police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, stating that the police responded to a distress call from the health centre. She explained that the clash involved supporters of two political factions, and the police were deployed to manage the situation and restore order. Iringe-Koko noted that anti-riot measures, including tear gas, were used to disperse the crowds. She also mentioned that an investigation into the incident was underway.
The clash between the supporters of Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike led to significant disruption and violence at a medical outreach event. The involvement of the police and the reported use of tear gas, which affected a baby, heightened the gravity of the situation. The incident emphasizes the tense political environment in Rivers State and highlights the need for effective conflict resolution measures to prevent such clashes from disrupting essential services and community events.