Rivers State LG Chair Removes Wike’s Name from Secretariat
The newly appointed chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has ordered that the name of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, be removed from a building in the council’s secretariat. The building, previously named after Wike, will now be called “Obi Wali House.”
This decision was made on Monday during Ihunwo’s visit to the secretariat, just hours after suspected vandals set fire to the Ikwerre and Emohua local government buildings. It was one of Ihunwo’s first actions since being elected in a local election held on Saturday, which saw police refusing to provide security due to a court ruling, raising tensions in the area.
After the election, the police lifted restrictions on all council secretariats in the state. However, the attackers struck after officers had left the premises, causing significant damage.
In a video posted on his social media, Ihunwo urged the Rivers State Police to remain neutral and vowed to defend his local government. He also criticized Wike, stating, “He (Wike) does not give people peace,” and announced that the administrative block would be renamed “Obi Wali House.” He added that the change would take place the next day and dared anyone to challenge his decision.
Wike had served two terms as chairperson of Obio/Akpor Local Government until 2007, then became Chief of Staff to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and later Minister of State for Education under President Goodluck Jonathan. With support from Jonathan’s wife, Patience, Wike became governor of Rivers State in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 before his appointment as FCT minister by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
However, Wike has been at odds with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as they compete for political influence in Rivers State.
The late Obi Wali, after whom the building is now named, was from Obio/Akpor and was elected senator for Port Harcourt District. He was assassinated at home in 1993. In 2014, the Rivers State Government named the Obi Wali Conference Centre in his honor for his political and literary contributions.
