Wike vs Fubara: Scores injured as police repel attacks on Rivers Speaker

Chaos erupted on Tuesday when the police thwarted an attack by some Ijaw youths at the residence of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule. Most of the youths who stormed Amaewhule’s residence were injured during the incident.

Amaewhule, along with 24 other members of the House of Assembly, opposed the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and initiated a move for his impeachment.

Initially, the youths had occupied the entrance to the building, but later attempted to force their way into the compound by trying to bring down the gate.

In a viral video, Amb Ihunwo Chijioke, Chairman of the Nigeria Youth Council, Rivers State chapter, could be seen leading the protest, referring to Amaehule as a former speaker. Chijioke threatened to set the house on fire if the Speaker did not vacate the residence within two hours.

He stated: “Great Rivers youths, we are here because the former Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, has been impeached. We are here as Rivers youths to tell him to vacate his official residence because he has been impeached. If not, we are going to destroy this building because it was built with Rivers State money. He has been suspended, and he should go back to his house. We have a new speaker, Edison Ehie. I appeal to everybody to remain calm because they must leave.”

Confirming the incident, Bedford Benjamin, spokesman for the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, stated that the youths did not intend to attack Amaewhule’s residence. He condemned the shooting of peaceful protesters at the residence, indicating that one person was feared dead from the shooting, and many others sustained gunshot wounds and injuries.

Benjamin demanded the unconditional release of the chairman of the Rivers State Youth Council and numerous detained Ijaw youths, emphasizing that peaceful protests are protected by the law. He urged the federal government to intervene immediately to prevent further disruption of the state’s economy and the nation. Benjamin stressed the importance of not allowing politics to interfere with the duty of maintaining peace and stability in the state.