The Chairman of Emohua local government area, Dr Chidi Lloyd, says the protest organised by individuals claiming to be youths from Rumuji community in front of the Rivers State government house gate on Tuesday, March 31 2026, is an intentional attempt to smear his image, and not a genuine call for Justice, as reported in the media.
In a Statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategic Communication, Mr Bright Jossy-Elendu, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Dr Lloyd alleged that the protesters are attempting to link him to the Rumuji community crisis in October 2025, which claimed the life of one youth and led to the attack on the palace of the paramount ruler of the community
According to the statement, the Emohua Council Chairman questioned the motive of protesters and noted that those seeking genuine justice for the murder of the community youth would have taken their complaints to the DSS and the Police, whose duty it is to investigate murder and other related crimes.
Dr Lloyd said he is aware of the fact that unpopular politicians with inordinate political ambition would want to take advantage of every opportunity available to them to launch an attack on the character of their perceived and imaginary opponents, as the 2027 electioneering period draws close, describing the planned character assassination as a miscalculated move that was already dead on arrival.
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The Emohua council boss while noting that under his administration, efforts have been made to ensure normalcy was restored in Rumuji community after the crisis which also led to the burning of a vehicle belonging to the paramount ruler of the community by arsonists suspected to be working with the former youth leader of the community, Mr Anele Ogbu, a serving police officer who had already outgrown the age bracket for membership of youth organizations.
According to Dr Lloyd, Peace and security have returned to the Rumuji community, and there is a new youth executives council in the community recognised by the government and other relevant authorities, while the security agencies continued their investigation into the attacks.
The council chairman urged the youths to channel their protest to the appropriate authority, if they are not politically motivated, rather than involving themselves in political razzmatazz.
The statement further urged unsuspecting members of the public to disregard the allegation on the placards of those protesting, describing it as the handiwork of those threatened by his rising profile in politics and public service.
It also called on the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to bring the mastermInds and perpetrators of the Rumuji killing and palace attack to Justice .
