Newly elected Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Chijioke Ihunwo, has made a significant move by removing Nyesom Wike's name from the council secretariat's administrative block.
Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and a former governor of Rivers State, hails from the Rumuepirikom community within Obio Akpor LGA. He had previously held the position of chairman of the local government, and his name was prominently displayed on the administrative building.
Ihunwo defended his action by stating that Wike has brought ‘much trouble’ to the local government area. And so, in Wike's place, he has chosen to honor the late Obi Wali, a former politician and activist from the state.
Ihunwo shared this announcement during the late hours of Sunday October 13th, 2024, via his social media handle with a video of the name change on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
“We have changed Wike’s name in admin block of Obio/Akpor Council, and replaced with the name of Senator Dr. Obi Wali.”
This action follows shortly after the swearing-in of Ihunwo and 22 other newly elected local government area chairpersons by the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The local council elections in Rivers State were contentious, facing opposition from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Despite this resistance, the Action Peoples Party (APP) successfully won 22 council seats, while the Action Alliance secured one seat.
This latest development is viewed as part of the escalating political conflict between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The decision to remove Wike's name from the council building is seen as a significant statement in the ongoing struggle for political dominance in Rivers State currently.
Ihunwo has openly criticized Wike the past Governor Ricers state, has also called for Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister in a recently, accusing him of undermining the Rivers local government elections and threatening democracy.
In his firm words, "Wike is not God, Wike is a human being. Our President should call him to order."
Ihunwo went further t also emphasized and pleaded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should ensure to call Wike to order seeing that he has all authority to do so, better still, relieve him off his duty in his current office.
"We also appeal to Mr President to address Nyesom Wike or immediately sack him, because he doesn't even deserve to be in the cabinet of Mr President”, Ihunwo suggested.
