Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has instructed the heads of local government administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the 23 council areas following the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of the elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
The directive, announced in a statewide broadcast, emphasises maintaining law and order as the council transitions.
Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the outgoing officials, stating, “Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve.
We move forward in making sure that the constitution is upheld, and that law and order are maintained.”
The expiration of the chairmen’s tenure has sparked tension across the state. In Degema and Asari-Toru, youths have taken over council secretariats, demanding the exit of local officials.
Degema protesters, chanting solidarity songs, vowed to stay until their chairman, Michael John Williams, leaves office. Similarly, Asari-Toru’s secretariat was barricaded by youths to prevent officials from entering.
In Port Harcourt City, police presence has been increased to maintain order, with four patrol vans stationed at the council gates. The police emphasised adherence to the Court of Appeal’s status quo order, which mandates restraint until June 20.
The crisis stems from a legal dispute over the tenure extensions of the council chairmen.
The initial extension, granted by a 27-member House of Assembly, was nullified by a court order recognising a three-member House of Assembly.
Despite this, the chairmen have resisted vacating their positions, citing a court ruling favouring the 27-member Assembly, which affirmed their affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Adding to the tension, a viral video showed armed youths, suspected to be surveillance workers, parading in riverine local councils.
An unidentified anti-bunkering task force leader threatened to escort caretaker committee members to take over the councils, challenging the outgoing chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike.
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to monitor the councils, assuring the public of their safety. He urged parents to prevent their children from being involved in the crisis, warning that lawbreakers would face consequences.
Niger Delta activist Asari Dokubo also called for the chairmen to step down, stating, “Local Government tenure has expired today, 17th June 2024.
They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the constitution, they should go and seek re-election. But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution.”
As the situation unfolds, Governor Fubara remains firm on the constitutional directive for the council chairmen to step down, aiming for a smooth and lawful transition in the state’s local government areas.
