Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has instructed the heads of administration in the 23 local government areas to assume responsibility following the conclusion of the three-year tenure of the elected council chairmen on Monday.
Governor Fubara issued the directive during a state broadcast on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas,” the governor said.
“Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”
He said the decision ties with the Constitution’s provision and the need to ensure peace and order in the state. Fubara appreciated the efforts and dedication of the council chairmen to public service.
“I wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the law,” Fubara said.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours.”
Chairmen Leave Office
Meanwhile, two local government area (LGA) chairmen have expressed their readiness to step down from their positions in accordance with the Local Government Law of 2018 in the state.
These chairmen include Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, the first female council chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, and the Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro from Fubara’s LGA.
Both Claude-Wilcox and the Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro had contested the extension of the tenure of local government chairmen by the Martin Amaewhule-led assembly in court.
Addressing the media after an event at the Government House on Monday, the now-former council chairmen urged their counterparts in other LGAs to abide by the law and step down peacefully.
This development coincides with appeals from the chairmen of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George respectively, for a calm and peaceful resolution regarding the tenure elongation issue.
The disagreement over the end of the LGA tenure escalated on Monday in Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils, with protesters blocking the council premises, demanding a handover by the chairmen whose three-year term was set to expire on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024.
However, the two LG bosses maintained that their tenure extension was properly sanctioned by the Amaewhule-led state assembly and urged their supporters to show restraint and avoid violence.
Speaking on their behalf, Sekibo emphasized the need for calm, noting that the matter was sub judice.
“Everyone should exercise restraint, no matter the provocation. The matter is already in court.
“Those who want to be caretaker chairmen, just endure; those who want to be council chairmen, just endure. We are already at the Court of Appeal. It won’t take long again for judgment. Whichever way the case goes, it will go to the Supreme Court,” Sekibo appealed.
They urged law enforcement agents to ensure no breakdown of law and order, stating that no one has a monopoly on violence.
Comments are closed.