VIDEO: Rivers Local Government Administrator Allegedly Beaten, Humiliated Before Forced Resignation

Goodluck Iheanacho, the Sole Administrator of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State, appears to have been forcibly ousted from office. Video footage circulating online shows him visibly shaken and under duress as he’s pressured to sign a resignation letter—prompting widespread condemnation and concern over escalating political intimidation.

The controversial tape, first shared yesterday, captures the tense moments when unidentified individuals seemingly confront Iheanacho inside his council office. At one point, he is pushed against a desk and coerced into placing his thumbprint on a document—believed to be his resignation letter. The audio is muffled, but his hesitance and fear are palpable.

Voluntary Exit

A letter circulating online, dated June 20, 2025, purports to contain Iheanacho’s resignation, in which he thanks the state government and indicates he wants to return to the private sector after a term from April 11 to July 20, 2025. The intention to pursue personal ambitions has been cited as the reason behind the move.

Coerced Departure

Iheamnacho, in a radio interview, classified the entire resignation as a forgery made under duress. He says "I was attacked in my office, and the letter ... was not signed by me," urging the public to disregard it. In contrast, the council’s Chief Security Officer claims local youths, frustrated with alleged mismanagement, pressured him into quitting.

Implications & Next Steps

Security concerns: The violent circumstances—whether political or communal, suggest a serious breach of governance norms.

Accountability question: Were funds misused? If so, were citizens justified in their approach, or was it outright intimidation?

Official action pending: The Rivers State Government has yet to comment formally. Meanwhile, the council secretariat remains shut and police presence has been reported in the area.

What to Watch

Will an official inquiry be launched to verify the authenticity of the resignation letter and the alleged attack?

Could this escalate into further unrest or reports of infringement on public office holders?

Will state authorities impose discipline on any actors found responsible, be it local agitators or political operators?

This incident crystallizes rising tensions in Rivers State’s local politics, where governance often collides with communal pressure and potentially violent coercion. We’ll keep tracking any investigations or official responses as they unfold.