Allwell Ihunda, Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State, who is also overseeing Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, hastily retreated when confronted by protesting youths at the council’s headquarters on Tuesday.

Accompanied by aides and security personnel, Ihunda was en route to the council premises when aggrieved youths obstructed his path, forcing him to disembark from his vehicle.

The situation quickly escalated as the youths advanced towards him, prompting his security team to fire warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd.

In a bid to evade the growing confrontation, Ihunda swiftly boarded a black SUV with his aides and departed the scene, while disgruntled youths chased after his convoy.

Vehicles purportedly belonging to his aides also hurriedly followed suit.

Throughout the incident, some of the protesting youths vocally expressed their frustrations, shouting remarks like, “That’s him, Allwell. Chase him. Who is he? Look at him! Mayor is running. Chase him!  Don’t run, come you will see pressure. We are not afraid of you.”

Despite efforts by his security team to calm the situation and quell the unrest, the youths persisted, questioning, “Why is he running?”

Amid a legislative dispute, the State Chairman of the ALGON had refused to vacate office following the expiration of his tenure on June 17th.

The LG chairmen, elected during Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, cited the local government amendment law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly as justification for their decision.

This law extended their tenure by six months due to Governor Siminlayi Fubara’s failure to conduct local government elections.

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The Rivers State Police Command has rebutted allegations of its officers being involved in a shooting incident during a protest in Port Harcourt.

Viral video clips circulating online captured moments of sporadic gunfire as Ijaw youths gathered at the Port Harcourt City Council secretariat to demonstrate against arbitrary tenure elongation by local government chairmen.

Ichemanti, a prominent leader among the Port Harcourt City youths, claimed that the Police shot at one of the protesters during the demonstration.

However, Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko refuted the accusations.

She clarified that the Police presence was solely to maintain peace and asserted that the video evidence did not show officers discharging firearms.

Iringe-Koko stated, “If you can see clearly in that video, there is no policeman shooting there. You can see them peacefully moving around there because they are there to forestall the breakdown of law and order. So there is no shooting.

“Let’s stop circulating false stories. That you heard gunshots doesn’t mean the police are shooting. If there was any shooting, you would have seen casualties.”

Addressing queries about the source of the gunfire, the PPRO remarked, “Neither you nor I were present, but I can assure you that the Police deployed to the area did not fire any shots.”

Thailand made history on Tuesday by becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

The landmark decision came after the Senate granted final approval, with 130 votes in favour, four against, and 18 abstentions, amending the marriage law to allow same-sex couples to marry.

The legislation will now proceed to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal approval and is expected to take effect 120 days after being published in the official Royal Gazette.

Once enacted, Thailand will join Taiwan and Nepal as one of the few Asian countries where same-sex couples can legally marry.

Activists anticipate that wedding ceremonies could commence as early as October.

While addressing senators following the vote, Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, an LGBTQ activist and committee member involved in reviewing the law stated, “We are incredibly proud of everyone who contributed to this historic moment. Your efforts have brought about significant change. Today, love triumphs over prejudice.”

Prior to the vote, Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP from the progressive Move Forward Party, described the legal amendment as ‘a victory for the people.’

The recent legislation has updated marriage laws by replacing terms like “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” with gender-neutral language.

It also ensures that same-sex couples enjoy equal rights to adoption and inheritance as heterosexual couples.

Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, 30, shared with AFP, “My partner has a son, and I want legal rights to formally adopt him as my child and to have a say in his welfare. This bill makes that possible.”

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a strong advocate for the LGBTQ community and the bill, will host celebrations at his official residence, welcoming activists and supporters later.

In central Bangkok, activists are organizing an evening rally featuring a drag show. Throughout Pride Month in June, prominent shopping malls have displayed the rainbow flag in solidarity.

Thailand has earned a reputation for its longstanding tolerance of the LGBTQ community, with local media reporting overwhelming public support for marriage equality based on opinion polls.

Since the Netherlands pioneered the first unions in 2001, more than 30 countries worldwide have legalized same-sex marriage.