The chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Sir Chidi Lloyd, has dismissed a protest by individuals claiming to be youths of Rumuji community at the Rivers State Government House on Tuesday as a politically motivated attempt to tarnish his reputation.
Bright Jossy-Elendu, Special Adviser to the Chairman on Information & Strategic Communication, made this known in a statement
The protesters had carried placards alleging Sir Chidi Lloyd’s involvement in the October 2025 Rumuji community crisis, which left one youth dead and saw an attack on the palace of the community’s paramount ruler.
Reacting to the protest, Sir Chidi Lloyd stated that any genuine pursuit of justice for the murdered youth should have been directed to the DSS or the police, the agencies responsible for investigating such cases. He described the protest as a “miscalculated move” by politicians seeking to exploit the situation for their ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sir Chidi Lloyd also highlighted the role of his administration in restoring peace to Rumuji. Following the crisis—which included the burning of a vehicle belonging to the paramount ruler by arsonists allegedly connected to former youth leader Mr. Anele Ogbu, a serving police officer—the council acted swiftly.
The chairman facilitated the reactivation of a military base and the redeployment of personnel to the community, in collaboration with the police and other security agencies.
He said, in September 2025, the Rumuji Youth Association leadership was reconstituted by the paramount ruler, Ohna Christian Okachineke Elechi, and the new executives were formally recognized by the local government. This move was opposed violently by the former youth leader, leading to clashes and insecurity in the community.
Sir Chidi Lloyd emphasized that, as a non-indigene of Rumuji, he has no personal stake in the internal politics of the community, but will continue to ensure law and order. He urged the youths to direct any legitimate grievances to the proper authorities rather than engaging in politically charged demonstrations.
He also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 2025 Rumuji crisis to justice and urged the public to disregard the protest placards as the work of individuals threatened by his growing profile in politics and public service.
