Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, on Friday formally registered with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), completing his e-registration at Ward 8 in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State his hometown.
The registration exercise came amid rising tension, as suspected hired hoodlums invaded the community and burnt down the ADC secretariat in Ubima ahead of his arrival.
According to reports gathered by Truth Live News International, unknown thugs invaded the community on Thursday night, shooting heavily and setting the party secretariat ablaze, before reappearing Friday morning to mount a roadblock on the Omuanwa-Ubima Road, stopping every bus bearing ADC banners from entering Ubima.
The ADC facility was reported to have housed materials intended for local party activities, and its destruction was seen by many observers as a deliberate attempt to derail Amaechi’s formal defection.
The situation escalated further when Amaechi’s convoy itself came under attack as armed men suspected to be political thugs engaged the convoy in a gun duel along the Ubima–Omuanwa road as Amaechi arrived around 12:15 p.m. The attackers were eventually repelled after security operatives accompanying the former governor responded with superior firepower, forcing the assailants to flee into nearby bushes.
Despite the unsettling situation, Amaechi proceeded with his registration and addressed supporters who had gathered for the event urging them to remain calm, while calling on party faithfuls not to engage in any form of violence.
“Don’t be violent because violence may lead to the death of somebody don’t be violent. At the same time, they can’t stop us from meeting in our community.” He stated.
The former Rivers state Governor commended the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, as well as officials of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their professionalism in containing the situation.
Amaechi also called on authorities to ensure those behind the arson and convoy attack are identified and prosecuted, stressing that such acts of intimidation must not be allowed to persist in the state.
No casualties were confirmed, and no arrests had been made at the time of filing this report.
