By Kingston Magare
Shooting and arson trailed the withdrawal of policemen from the River State Local Government secretariats, which they have occupied since June.
Chairmen of the local governments were sworn by governor Similayini Fubara after the elections on Saturday, but on Monday violence erupted in some of the LGs.
One person was killed during a shootout in Bori, Khana Local government, as protesters besieged the LG headquarters. The Eleme Local Government office building was set ablaze moments after the newly elected chairman Brian Gokpa and councilors arrived. The Ikwere Local government headquarters in Isiokpo, was also torched.
Governor Fubara while swearing-in the chairmen and the councilors on Sunday had warned that there were plans to cause mayhem following the elections in which his endorsed candidates on the platform of the Action Peoples Party had won 22 out the 23 local government.
Fubara said: “I’m aware that there are plans to mobilise 20 people per unit to confront you when you return to your local government headquarters.
“If they come with violence, avoid them. The peace of this state is too important to us. Everyone knows what they are planning, but I urge you to follow my approach.
“At the right time, you will always win if you are patient and calculative. We have made our promises to our people, and we are committed to leading them to the Promised Land.”
Rivers LG chairmen...