...Directs Heads of Administration to Take Over from Outgoing LGA Chairmen in Rivers State
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has issued a directive for Heads of Administration in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to assume control from the outgoing elected council chairmen whose three-year tenure concluded at midnight on Monday.
The governor made this announcement in a state broadcast on Tuesday morning, citing constitutional provisions and the necessity to maintain peace and order in the state.
Governor Fubara also expressed his gratitude towards the former council chairmen for their service to public administration.
However, the transition has not been without controversy, as the tenure extension of the chairmen by the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly has faced legal challenges.
In a significant development, two LGA Chairmen, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox of Bonny LGA and the Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, have accepted the expiration of their terms in compliance with the State's Local Government Law of 2018. Both had previously contested the extension of their tenure in court.
The dispute over the end of the LGAs' tenure escalated on Monday in Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru LGAs, with protesters barricading council headquarters and demanding the removal of the chairmen.
Despite the protests, the Chairmen of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George, have called for calm and peaceful resolution, emphasizing that the matter is already in court.
Sekibo, speaking on behalf of the chairmen, urged supporters to exercise restraint and avoid violence, stating that the case is now at the Court of Appeal and could potentially proceed to the Supreme Court. He also called on law enforcement to prevent any breakdown of law and order, stressing that no one has a monopoly on violence.
As the situation unfolds, the Heads of Administration in Rivers State are expected to take over from the outgoing chairmen, as directed by Governor Fubara, in a move aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining stability in local governance.
