There was palpable political tension on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 General Elections, as armed political thugs blocked and attacked the convoy of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The attack followed the burning down of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Ward office in the hometown of the former Minister of Transportation and a chieftain of the ADC.
It was gathered that the incident took place between Ubima and Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area when Amaechi was traveling to his community to participate in the electronic membership registration of the ADC.
Information pieced together by Forefront News indicated that the heavily armed thugs, believed to be supporters of another former governor of the State, had mounted a roadblock before Amaechi’s arrival at about 12:15 p.m., during which the armed thugs turned back buses that were conveying ADC supporters to the event.
The development created so much tension and was further worsened by the attack on ADC ward office in Ubima, Amaechi’s country home, which was set ablaze by thugs believed to be working for a political chieftain from the State.
It was gathered that the armed attackers stormed the community with heavy gunfire, shooting sporadically and reportedly riddled the gate of Amaechi’s family house with bullets in what appeared to be a calculated attempt to disrupt the former governor’s visit to his community.
However, trouble started when the convoy of Amaechi attempted to enter the community which led the sponsored thugs to block the road and confronted the convoy, triggering a brief, but heavy gun duel with security operatives attached to the former governor.
It was further gathered that the security personnel attached to Amaechi were able to gain control of the situation, a development that led the armed thugs to flee into nearby bushes.
Later, while addressing hundreds of party supporters who gathered for the e-registration exercise, Amaechi urged them to remain calm and warned against retaliation.
In the words of Amaechi; “I will thank the commissioner of police and the Director of DSS. They showed a lot of professionalism immediately I made contact with them.
“In fact, I wasn’t expecting that kind of cooperation. I thought they would be behind these criminals and not render support. But all of us will agree that the police came out, the DSS came out, the NSCDC came out. So, we are grateful to them,” he said.
Amaechi later inspected the burnt ADC office after the attack, and urged security agencies to go further by arresting and prosecuting the armed thugs.
He further said; “But they must also know that this cannot continue. The way they will show us that this cannot continue is that they must prosecute those who are involved in this crime”.
Amaechi particularly called on the government of Rivers State to strengthen security across the state to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
He said; “I have been a governor, and I know the consequences of not protecting the lives of people. The people will begin to protect their lives by themselves because they don’t want to die”.
Despite the violence, Amaechi urged party members in Rivers State to register en masse, adding that the ADC must build a strong base capable of surprising its opponents at the polls, saying; “ADC Rivers State, you must register en masse. On election day, they will know whether we will vote or not”.
He urged members of the ADC to remain peaceful and focus on political mobilisation ahead of future elections, adding that the role of the party members is to remain calm and peaceful.
“We are marching to Aso Rock. What they are doing is a distraction. We are hungry. People are dropping dead every day because of hunger. There are a few people who are stealing our money and they say we should keep quiet. We can no longer keep quiet,” Amaechi said.
