Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
One person has been confirmed dead and some Council headquarters set on fire as the newly-elected Local Government Area Chairmen and their Councillors stormed their Council headquarters Monday to assume duty.
No sooner had the Police unsealed the Council headquarters than shooting began in Bori, in Khana LGA.
Similar incident was also reported in some other LGAs.
Protest also erupted in some Council areas as the Police unsealed the LGA secretariats put under lock and key about three months ago.
Similarly, gunshots were reported near Bori, forcing residents to scamper to safety.
A local source was quoted as saying: “It was near Bori but I can’t say exactly where. A young man was shot and people started running. The man was rushed to the hospital this morning.”
In Emuoha and Ikwerre LGAs, there were also protests as arsonists set structures ablaze.
According to reports, in Ikwerre LG, protesters who invaded the secretariat in Isiokpo set fire to a section of the secretariat, preventing the workers from assessing the place.
It was learned that the situation prevented the newly sworn-in Chairman of Ikwerre from going in to inaugurate his councillors.
A source said the police later moved in to quell the riot while the fire was put out, though some parts of the council headquarters were damaged.
In Emuuoha LG, protesters prevented the newly sworn-in chairman from assessing the council headquarters in Isiokpo.
The protesters claimed that the candidate of the Action Peoples Party which they termed an unpopular and unknown party does not have what it takes to win the just concluded election.
The protesters were said to have blocked the main entrance to the secretariat.
They were said to have taken control of the administrative building, saying they would not allow the Chairman, David Omereji, to assume office.
Their supporters insisted that they recognised the immediate past LG Chairman, Dr Chidi Lloyd, as the duly elected chairman and demanded that he be allowed to complete his tenure as extended by the state House of Assembly.
The PDP Emohua Council Chairman, Morrison Jim, addressed the public, reaffirming the party’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.
He said despite not participating in the recent election due to a court order, the PDP remained strong and united.
“We respect the legal process and have chosen to abide by the court’s decision. Our focus remains on serving the people and promoting the well-being of our good people of EMOLGA.”
