Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has directed the heads of administration in the 23 local government areas (LGAs) to assume leadership from the elected council chairmen whose three-year terms ended on Monday.
This announcement was made during a state broadcast on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State.
Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and maintaining law and order.
He instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take over the leadership roles in their respective LGAs with immediate effect and to await further instructions.
This move is aimed at ensuring continuity and stability in the administration of the local councils.
The governor acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing council chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors, whose tenure concluded on June 17, 2024.
He expressed gratitude on behalf of the state government and the people of Rivers State for their dedicated public service and wished them well in their future endeavors.
Meanwhile, two local government area chairmen, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox of Bonny LGA and Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, have expressed their willingness to vacate their positions in accordance with the state’s Local Government Law of 2018.
These chairmen had previously contested the extension of their tenure in court, challenging the decision made by the Martin Amaewhule-led state assembly.
In a statement to Channels Television, Claude-Wilcox and Cookeygam urged their colleagues in other LGAs to respect the law and step down peacefully.
Their departure comes amid calls for calm and peaceful resolution from the chairmen of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru LGAs, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George, respectively.
These chairmen faced protests on Monday from individuals demanding their handover, as their terms were set to expire on June 18, 2024.
Sekibo and George defended their tenure extensions, claiming they were lawfully approved by the state assembly.
They called for their supporters to remain peaceful and patient, as the matter is currently being addressed in court.
Sekibo highlighted that the case is before the Court of Appeal and urged everyone to avoid violence, promising that a resolution would soon be reached, potentially going to the Supreme Court.
The chairmen appealed to law enforcement agencies to maintain order and prevent any violence, noting that no group has exclusive rights to violent actions.
