Breaking News: Wike’s Name To Be Erased From Rivers Secretariat—What This Means

Ihunwo issued this directive during his visit to the council secretariat on Monday, just hours after suspected hoodlums set fire to the Ikwerre and Emohua local government secretariats. This order marks one of Ihunwo’s first official actions following his election as chairperson in a local poll held on Saturday.

The police had restricted officers from providing security during the elections due to a court order, which heightened tensions in the area. However, after the election concluded, the police lifted the lockdown on all council secretariats in the state.

The attackers struck the two local government secretariats after the police vacated the premises, resulting in significant damage without security personnel present.

In a video shared on his X account on Monday, Ihunwo stated, “I want to advise the Rivers State Police Command to remain neutral. For this local government, we will protect ourselves, and we are ready for them after the burning of Ikwerre and Emohua councils.”

Pointing to a sign atop a duplex in the council secretariat that read “Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike ADMIN BLOCK,” he added, “He (Wike) does not allow the people to have peace. Therefore, as the chairperson of the council, I am renaming it Obi Wali House.” This statement was met with cheers from onlookers.

Ihunwo mentioned that the name change would take effect the following morning and challenged anyone to contest his decision.

Wike previously served as chairperson of the Obio/Akpor local government council for two terms, ending in 2007. He was later appointed as chief of staff to then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi, followed by a role as Minister of State for Education under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Jonathan’s wife, Patience, who is also from Rivers State, played a key role in Wike’s election as governor in 2015. Wike was re-elected in 2019 and served until 2023, after which he was appointed as Minister of FCT by President Bola Tinubu.

Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, have been in conflict over control of the political landscape in Rivers State.

Obi Wali, after whom the newly renamed building is named, was a senator representing the Port Harcourt District. He was tragically murdered in his home on April 26, 1993. To honor his political and literary contributions, the Rivers State Government commissioned the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt in 2014.