By Abiola Olawale
The tension in Rivers State has escalated as a pandemonium occurred following an explosion in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
It was gathered that a middle-aged man who is yet to be identified reportedly lost his life while trying to discharge an explosive during a protest in the state capital on Tuesday.
The incident happened in front of Hotel Presidential at about 9.45 am on Tuesday, while some supporters of the immediate-past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike were holding their solidarity march.
According to an eyewitness account, the corpse of the victim was taken away hurriedly as security agents trooped to the location where the incident occurred.
While further details of the incident remain sketchy as of press time, it comes amid a political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has been battling with his predecessor, Wike over the past eight months.
The crisis had taken several dramatic twists and turns, with the latest emerging when Fubara ordered all 23 local government chairmen to vacate their seats following the expiration of their tenures.
Though the governor had sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state, the former chairmen are arguing that the tenure elongation law enacted by the Martins Amaewhule Assembly remains valid.
