Due to his penchant for courting controversy since the time of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area and former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chidi Lloyd, gets enmeshed in one trouble after the other in the recent times
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The Executive Chairman Emouhua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, is arguably the most controversial council chairman in the oil-rich Rivers State. The maverick lawyer-turned politician is one Chairman in Rivers State that has suffered so much hatred and antagonism, just as with his controversial principal, Nyesom Wike the Minster for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Criticism, blackmail, scandal and gossip seem to run after him, everyone has his own version and interpretation to everything he does. The way and manner he managed and resolved most of his crisis baffles many.
The former Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly and second term Chairman, Emohua Local Government Area is battling with land grabbing allegation against him, instigation of crisis in towns and villages in Emohua as well as non-payment of local government workers allegations.
Stakeholders across Okporomini in Ahoada East Local Government area, as well as Egi enclaves of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area protested over heavy rain on Monday November 3, 2025 at 8:30am to express displeasure over alleged land grabbing of ancestral lands, pointing accusing fingers at Dr. Chidi Lloyd, calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Governor Siminaliyi Fubara to intervene in the alleged unlawful trespass and alleged forceful takeover of their natural properties and belongings.
As the case of land grabbing raged, Rumuji Community was on fire on Wednesday October 29, 2025, where Paul Oduveh was stabbed to death by Amusanwo Megbo, whereupon sources have accused the Emohua Council Chairman, Dr. Lloyd of high-handedness resulting in abrupt announcement of a parallel youth leadership for Rumuji Community, which ignited the crisis.
Tentacle learnt that houses and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the mayhem. And the continued presence of military men has escalated fear, tension in the Rumuji Community. It is rumoured that the Paramount Ruler of Rumuji may have collaborated with Lloyd, in a bid to bring cover to the pronounced youth leader to operate in Rumuji Community against the decision of the entire Ogbakor Rumuji. They said whatever happened further in Rumuji Community should be traced to Lloyd.
Similarly, the Egbeda Community is fighting the controversial Chairman physically and spiritually. On Saturday October 31, 2025, Egbeda Women gathered in the Town Square, pounded inside the empty mortals with pestles, while using a half-burnt fire wood to hit a local three-stand cooking iron as they chanted traditional incantations and invoked ancestral curses upon Lloyd.
One of the eye witnesses described the scene as “a mixture of politics and witchcrafts”, where pounded yam water, ashes and native chalk (Nzu) were poured on the ground as the women chanted imprecations like “let those who brought division into Egbeda never see peace”, while some reportedly mentioned the name of Lloyd.
In a turn of events, another group of Egbeda women embarked on a day of fasting and fervent prayer, reversing the curses and invoking divine mercy upon the land and Lloyd.
The prayer session which was both solemn and emotional, saw women weeping and declaring spiritual freedom over Egbeda. They prayed particularly for Lloyd referring to him affectionately as their in-law saying:
“Our daughter who is married to Lloyd shall not become a widow at a young age. Any tongue that wishes death upon another woman’s husband may that same tongue be silenced by God”.
In the same vein, the people of Omudioga Community have lifted up their voices in one accord, standing in the gap for their leader, embattled Lloyd. They declared that no weapon formed against him shall prosper and every tongue that rises in judgment is condemned.
Omudioga decrees that Lloyd will finish strong, excel beyond expectations and continue to be a vessel of light and progress in Emohua Local Government Area.
But the Local Government Workers are saying otherwise. They say he can only finish strong and excel beyond expectation if he carries the workers along in his administration. The Local Government Workers who have taken up arms against him have dragged him to court for unlawful sacking of over 300 workers who were duly employed by Rivers State Local Government Service Commission. There is a heavy tension in the council as the result of the face -off between the local government workers and the chairman which is affecting the smooth operation of the council
It would be recalled that Lloyd who is not new to drama and controversy on Tuesday, July 9, 2013 almost killed his fellow lawmaker at the hollow chamber of the Assembly. He hit Hon. Michael Chinda, a member representing Obi/Akpor Constituency II with the mace on his head, following the crisis that rocked the Assembly.
He was charged to court for attempted murder, but former Governor Rotimi Amaechi stopped him from prosecution because he was his dependable ally then.
