The African Democratic Congress has called for the arrest and investigation of the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, over an alleged attack on the convoy of former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, March 6, 2026, along the Omuanwa axis as Amaechi travelled to his hometown, Ubima, for party registration.
Leaders of the ADC made the demand while addressing journalists in reaction to comments made by the council chairman following the incident.
Speaking during the briefing, the ADC State Chairman, Leader Bari, insisted that the individuals who blocked the road were hoodlums and not members of any recognised vigilante group.
“We travelled through other communities and even saw some OSPAC members along the road, but they did not block the road. When we got to Omuanwa, the road was blocked by people he is now referring to as OSPAC members, but from what we saw they were hoodlums,” Bari said.
He further alleged that the attackers fired first at security operatives escorting the former governor, which prompted a response from the personnel.
“They began shooting and the security agencies had to repel them. The DSS, the police and the Civil Defence will have reports of what happened,” he said, adding that vehicles in the convoy travelling behind the former governor were later attacked.
“Vehicles were destroyed, phones were stolen and money was taken from our people. If anyone is saying those people were OSPAC members, then it means they are defending criminals,” Bari said.
The ADC State Chairman therefore urged security agencies to arrest and investigate the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, insisting that he should provide information about the incident.
“We are calling on the Inspector General of Police, the DSS and other security agencies to arrest and investigate the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government. He claims to be the chief security officer of that local government and should have information about what happened,” Bari stated.
Also speaking, Temple Chinedu, the ADC Chairman in Ikwerre Local Government Area, alleged that party members had been facing threats even before the attack occurred.
“Early hours of the 6th of March, we already suspected something like that could happen because we had been threatened and warned that we would no longer hold any meeting in Ikwerre Local Government,” he said.
Chinedu further claimed that earlier attempts by party members to organise meetings had been disrupted, leaving some members injured and their belongings stolen. He also alleged that the party’s secretariat in Ubima was attacked and set ablaze shortly before the incident involving the former governor’s convoy.
“By around 2 a.m., we received a call that the office had already been set on fire. When people went there to verify, they saw that the building was already burning,” he said.
The ADC maintained that the attack on Amaechi’s convoy, along with previous incidents involving its members and facilities, should be thoroughly investigated. The party urged security agencies to invite the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman for questioning and ensure that those responsible for the alleged attacks are brought to justice.
However, a day after the incident, Wobodo dismissed claims that hoodlums attacked Amaechi’s convoy. According to him, the individuals on the road were members of the local vigilante group, OSPAC, who were carrying out routine security checks.
Wobodo also alleged that it was security operatives within Amaechi’s convoy who shot at an OSPAC vehicle, destroying it and injuring one member.
He further denied any involvement in the destruction of the ADC secretariat in Ubima, stating that his personal investigation indicated that the incident resulted from internal disputes within the ADC in the local government area.
What you should know
The reported attack on Rotimi Amaechi’s convoy highlights rising political tensions in Rivers State as parties reorganise ahead of future elections.
Amaechi, a prominent political figure and former minister, has recently been associated with activities linked to the African Democratic Congress. The ADC’s demand for an investigation into the Ikwerre council chairman reflects concerns over political violence and security in the region.
Meanwhile, the chairman’s denial and claim that vigilante members were conducting routine checks present a conflicting narrative that security agencies may need to investigate to determine the actual circumstances surrounding the incident.
