The Rivers State House of Assembly, chaired by Martin Amaewhule, has expressed concern about the Caretaker Committee Chairmen’s (CTC) ongoing tenure in office despite a Supreme Court decision ruling them illegal. The politicians want them arrested.
The Supreme Court has ruled in a case brought by the Attorney General of the Federation and the Attorneys General of the 36 states that CTC is illegal.
Major Jack, the House leader, informed the members of the Certified True Copy of the aforementioned Supreme Court ruling, which he put before the speaker, at plenary on Monday.
While presenting his report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Governments, Ignatius Onwuka, highlighted concerns over the continued actions of CTC Chairmen despite the Supreme Court judgement.
“Some imposters are passing themselves off as caretaker committee chairs and members in the 23 local governments. Mr Speaker, this concerns me since this House altered the state’s Local Governments law to require that only elected Local Government officials be responsible for local government activities,” he added.
Onwuka continued, “These impostors are going around the local governments flaunting themselves and harassing innocent men and women, imposing levies and charges. So, as a House, we felt compelled to bring the acts of these impostors to your attention.”
In a separate petition, the member representing Andoni Constituency, Ofiks Kagbang, accused Governor Fubara of inciting disorder.
He stated, “Based on what I’m seeing in this state, the governor is inviting anarchy.” The Supreme Court has ruled that there should be no caretaker committees, yet the Governor continues to collect taxes and rates. Isn’t that anarchy?
After voting, Amaewhule requested that the police arrest the caretaker committee chairs wherever they were seen parading themselves. He directed the head of the House Committee on Information to tell residents on the status of their choice.