Tension arises in Rivers as youths seek justice for their slain colleague, accusing a Local Government Chairman of complicity
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
Irked by the brutal manner their colleague was murdered, youths from Rumuji, Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State who identified themselves as the legitimate leaders of the Rumuji Youth Association have staged a protest match in Port Harcourt, carrying placards and demanding justice.
The youths said they were dismayed that seven months after the incident which led to the killing of Paul Oduwe nothing had happened and the culprits seem to be getting away with the crime. They also claimed that the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area Dr. Chidi Lloyd contributed to the crises by establishing a rival youth leadership despite their recognition as the official body.
According to the group’s secretary, Clement Wikpa, the dispute is connected to disagreement over the implementation of memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Greenville LNG Limited.
Wikpa alleged, “on the day Greenville was supposed to supply electricity, Chidi Lloyd announced the dissolution of the existing youth body and introduced a parallel leadership.
“Immediately, after those individuals were instructed to attack us, the youth president managed to escape, but the person that was killed was his personal assistant (PA).
After the incident, they returned to the council boss. The next day, October 30, he officially inaugurated them at the council for what he descried as a job well done”.
The group’s vice president, Prince Megbo, also alleged that a suspect earlier arrested in connection with Oduwe’s killing had been released. He accused the council chairman of failing to ensure justice or maintained peace.
Megbo said “we have written to the government, the police and DSS. The main suspect who stabbed the victim was arrested along with others, but due to Chidi Lloyd’s influence, they were released. They are now moving freely intimidating our members. We remain the legitimate youth body”.
In response, the Community Relations Officer of Greenville Limited, Joseph Onyekachi Oyadeyone denied any involvement of his company, describing the situation as an internal dispute among youth groups.
Reacting to the allegations, the chairman, Chidi Lloyd stated that any protest seeking justice should have been directed to security agencies such as the police or DSS.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, /Information and Strategic Communication, Bright Jossy Elendu, he said “The chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Dr. Chidi Lloyd has described the protest organized by some individuals who claimed to be youths of Rumuji Community at the entrance of Rivers State Government House as deliberate attempt to smear his image and not a genuine call for justice as reported in the media.
The protesters boldly linked Chidi Llody to the October 2025 Rumuji Community crisis which claimed the life of one youth and attacked on the palace of the paramount ruler displayed placards with inscriptions alleging the chairman’s involvement in the crisis.
The chairman who is a lawyer said a protest seeking genuine justice for the murder of the community youth would have been taken to the DSS or the Police whose duty is to investigate murder and other related cases.
He said he is not unaware of the fact that unpopular politicians with inordinate political ambition would want to take advantage of every opportunity available to them to launch attack on the perceived and imaginary opponents as the 2027 electioneering period draws close, describing the protest character assassination and a miscalculated move that was already dead on arrival.
Another source told Tentacle the efforts and contribution of the council boss towards ensuring that normally was restored to 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 youth leader of the community Mr. Anele Ogbu, a serving police officer whom they claimed had already out grown the age bracket for participation but wanted to impose himself on the community as a lifetime youth leader because of the proceeds from the economic activities of the community.
Tentacle gathered that crisis started in the community when the paramount ruler, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi in council had in September 2025 reconstituted the leadership of Rumuji Youths Association following the expiration of the tenure of the Anele Ogbu and forwarded the list of the new executives to the local Government council for approval and recognition which the local government affirmed.
The appointment of the new executives did not go down well with the incumbent executives whose tenure they claimed has not expired. The violent clash of both parties claimed the life of one and attempt on the life of the paramount ruler and the burning of properties worth millions of Naira.
The council chairman has therefore urged the youths to channel their protest to appropriate authority if they are not political motivated, rather then involving themselves in political razzmatazz.
He urged the unsuspecting members of the public to disregard the placard allegation, describing it as the hand work of those threatened by his rising profile in politics and public service.
Meanwhile, the mother of late Paul Oduwe, alongside her daughter, Precious Goodluck, said they are living in fear, alleging that those responsible continue to issue threats. They have called on the governor, Siminalayi Fubara and the Inspector- General Police to urgently intervene.
Chidi Llody, arguably the most controversial council chairman is not new to drama and controversy. The lawyer turned politician, criticism, black mail scandal and gossip seem to run after him, everyone has his own version and interpretation to everything he does.
Recall, on Tuesday July 9, 2013, he almost killed his fellow lawmaker, at the hallow chamber of the Assembly. He hit Hon. Michael Chinda, a member representing Obio/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.
The former majority leader of Rivers State House of Assembly is presently battling with land grapping allegation against him, instigation of crisis in villages and town in Emohua as well as the sacking as well as no payment of local government workers allegations.
The way and manner he managed and resolved most of his crisis is wonder to many.
