An altercation ensued on Wednesday between supporters of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and backers of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a medical outreach in the Eliozu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
Reports indicate that the conflict started as officials from the state Ministry of Health were conducting a medical outreach for women at the Eliozu Health Centre.
It was later revealed that some supporters, allegedly affiliated with a factional Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, arrived at the venue to inquire about the gathering shortly after it commenced.
The venue is located close to the residence of Amaewhule, who leads the 27 lawmakers aligned with Wike.
Supporters of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chijioke Ihunwo, who are loyal to Fubara, were present and reportedly prevented the other group from accessing the venue. This led to a verbal altercation escalating into a physical clash.
As the situation escalated, stones were thrown from various directions, causing the abrupt disruption of the medical outreach.
Shortly after, a team of riot police arrived at the scene and used teargas to disperse the conflicting groups and prevent further escalation.
During the incident, it was reported that a child who inhaled the teargas fumes was quickly taken into the facility for treatment and later recovered.
The medical outreach was then relocated to a state-owned medical facility in the Waterlines area of Port Harcourt, the state capital, where it continued.
In response to the clash, Ihunwo accused Amaewhule of orchestrating the disruption of the outreach.
Ihunwo expressed, “This morning, there was an incident at the Eliozu Health Centre where the former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, led security personnel to disrupt a program by the Ministry of Health.
“Shortly after, police officers arrived and started mistreating our women, firing teargas at pregnant women present at the health center.
“We want to emphasize that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area will not tolerate such actions. We call upon the President, Bola Tinubu, to address the situation and ensure peace in Rivers State. The FCT Minister should focus on his duties in Abuja and leave our governor undisturbed.”
When reached for a comment, Martins Wachukwu, media aide to Amaewhule, mentioned that he would provide a statement the following morning.
Wachukwu briefly stated, “I will address this in the morning.”
The spokesperson for the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
In a brief message to our correspondent, Iringe-Koko stated that the police had responded to a distress call regarding the clash and affirmed that investigations were ongoing.
She explained, “A distress call was received from the Eliozu community health center today, July 24, 2024, reporting a scuffle between followers of two political factions.
“Police swiftly dispatched operatives to the location to restore order. Anti-riot measures, including the use of tear gas canisters, were deployed to disperse the crowds. An investigation into the incident has been launched.”