Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Political tensions in Rivers State continued to simmer this week with a violent clash in Asari‑Toru Local Government Area involving the council chairman and members of the legislative arm of the local council, amid ongoing factional tensions linked to broader state politics. The confrontation resulted in physical altercations and the reported stabbing of a relative of the chairman, local sources said, in an episode that supporters of the chairman describe as politically motivated and unrelated to governance failures.
According to video and eyewitness accounts circulating online, an initially heated argument between Hon. Onengiyeofori George, the Executive Chairman of Asari‑Toru LGA, and the Leader of the Local Government Legislative Assembly, Hon. Ibifiri, escalated into a physical altercation at the council headquarters on Tuesday. Video footage shared on social platforms shows Mr. George attempting to walk away from a group of councillors who appeared to press the confrontation, sparking local concern about rising political hostilities in the state.
Supporters of the chairman — who have framed their account of events as a defence of his record — emphasised that the local government leadership had fulfilled its financial obligations to council members. They say salaries have been paid promptly and that an unusually large ₦10 million sitting allowance was allocated to councillors, an amount they contend is unprecedented for local governments in the area. They added that a wardrobe allowance had been promised and scheduled to be disbursed in batches, suggesting that the incident arose not from administrative failures but from political intimidation and pressure.
The tensions surrounding the altercation reportedly began with a meeting scheduled between the chairman and councillors. According to supporters of the chairman, he waited for several hours for the councillors to arrive; by the time they turned up, he had left for another official engagement. This, they say, triggered frustration and hostility from members of the assembly. In the version offered by the chairman’s supporters, the Leader of the House then forcefully entered the chairman’s office, shouting and hurling insults.
An escalation followed when Mr. Tom, identified as the chairman’s brother, who was nearby, intervened after hearing insults directed at his family. Supporters say he confronted the legislative leader over the derogatory remarks. What began as a verbal dispute reportedly turned physical, with councillors’ associates allegedly attacking Mr. Tom and injuring him. He is said to have been stabbed and hospitalised following the confrontation.
The aftermath of the incident has remained tense, with supporters of the chairman warning against the use of intimidation as a political tactic. They describe the chairman as known for his peaceful and tolerant disposition and argue the clash should not be read as evidence of maladministration or official misconduct.
The incident in Asari‑Toru reflects wider factional struggles within Rivers State politics, which have included ongoing tensions between different political blocs since the state’s protracted political crisis first drew national attention in recent years. The broader context includes disputes within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) between factions aligned with different leaders and competing visions for local and state governance. These rivalries have at times spilled over into public confrontations and protests in local councils across the state.
Rivers State has experienced sustained political turbulence, including legal battles over local government tenure extensions and shifts in party allegiances, as well as interventions by national party figures. In 2024 and 2025, disputes over local council chairmanships and the legal status of elected officials led to public protests and police involvement in several LGAs, including Asari‑Toru.
Neither the Rivers State Police Command nor official representatives of the local government have yet released independent statements on the latest incident, and attempts to reach legislative leaders for comment were not immediately successful. Asari‑Toru residents and political stakeholders are closely watching how the situation unfolds, with some urging calm and cautioning against further escalation.
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