Fubara, Wike’s supporters clash in Rivers

There was a serious clash between the supporters of Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and loyalists of Mr Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday in the State.

The incident occurred in the Obio/Akpor local government area during a government medical outreach in the Eliozu community.

According to reports, trouble started when officials from the state Ministry of Health were conducting a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.

Supporters allegedly loyal to the factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the venue to investigate the gathering. The health centre is near Amaewhule’s residence, who leads 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

Supporters of Chijioke Ihunwo, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA and a Fubara loyalist, allegedly prevented Amaewhule’s supporters from accessing the venue, leading to a heated argument and subsequent clash.

Stones were thrown, and the medical outreach was abruptly disrupted.

Anti-riot police arrived shortly after and fired tear gas to disperse the opposing groups. During the chaos, a child was tear-gassed and became unconscious. The medical outreach was relocated to a state-owned facility at the Waterlines axis of Port Harcourt, PUNCH reported.

While reacting to the incident, Chijioke Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of leading the police to disrupt the outreach. Ihunwo stated, “This morning there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, led some security men to disrupt a programme by the Ministry of Health.

“A few minutes later, some policemen came and started beating up our women, shooting tear gas at pregnant women who were at the Health Centre.

“We want to say that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not be under siege. We want to call on the President, Bola Tinubu that the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of the FCT are tarnishing the image of your government.

“We are calling on you to rein them in so that Rivers State can have peace. Let the FCT Minister concentrate on his job in Abuja and leave our dear governor alone.”

Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed the incident, stating, “A distress call was received from the health centre in the Eliozu community today, 24th July 2024, where supporters of two separate political factions were engaged in a fight.

“The police responded by sending operatives to the scene to restore law and order. The police deployed anti-riot tactics, including the use of canisters, to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the matter has been initiated.”

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook