Outrage in Rivers: Angry Crowd Destroys Wike’s Billboards

• Billboards Vandalized: Angry Ijaw women from the Kalabari community destroyed billboards featuring FCT Minister Nyesom Wike during a protest against his visit.
• Road Blockade: Dressed in black with white scarves, the protesters barricaded the road to Abalama, attempting to prevent Wike from attending a grand reception in his honor.
• Political Tension: The protest underscores the ongoing power struggle between Wike and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, deepening divisions within the state.

Angry Ijaw women from the Kalabari community on Saturday vandalized large billboards featuring the image of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

 

The billboards, erected at the junction leading to Abalama, were displayed in honor of Wike, who was being hosted at a grand reception organized by Ijaw stakeholders under the platform of NEW Associates.

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The reception coincided with protests from Kalabari traditional rulers and residents opposing a scheduled Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Eastern Zone meeting at the same venue.

 

In the early hours of Saturday, hundreds of women dressed in black with white scarves barricaded the road leading to Abalama, aiming to prevent Wike from entering the community.

 

The protesters, holding placards with messages such as “Kalabari, take your stand now!” and “Wike, what do you want in Kalabari land?” also destroyed billboards featuring the FCT Minister’s image.

 

Security personnel accompanying Wike eventually dispersed the demonstrators, allowing the Minister to proceed to the venue.

Despite the protests, the grand reception in Wike’s honor continued as planned. Dr. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the Publicity Committee for the event, described it as a thanksgiving service and civic reception recognizing Wike’s contributions to the Kalabari Kingdom.

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He emphasized that the community’s leaders, chiefs, women, and youths were excited to host Wike, whom he called a “friend of the kingdom.”

The protest reflects ongoing political tension in Rivers State, where Wike is locked in a power struggle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, an Ijaw native. The rift between the two leaders has deepened divisions within the state’s political landscape, with community groups taking sides in the dispute.

Observers say the clash highlights broader concerns within the Kalabari community regarding political influence and local governance, as both factions continue tovie for dominance.

 

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