Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.
The exercise was held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital amid tight security on Wednesday.
It comes a day after he forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo.
Recall that the lawmakers had invited the nominees for screening as early as 8 am on Wednesday.
The names of the nominated caretaker chairmen are:
Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson
Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth
Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green
Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs
Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan
Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree
Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua
Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon
Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa
Emouha LGA – David Omereji
Etche LGA – John Otamiri
Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden
Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji
Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip
Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
The development adds another twist to the political crisis in the state months after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law.
Despite Governor Fubara’s refusal to assent to the bill, lawmakers under Martin Amaewhule’s leadership proceeded to enact it. This legislation aimed to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors when elections cannot be conducted before the end of their three-year term.
However, the amended law was challenged in court and subsequently nullified, triggering an appeal process. The appeal court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on June 20, 2024.
The disagreement over the tenure extension has led to tensions, with youths from different local government councils taking opposing stances.
Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George, representing Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils respectively, have called for peace despite asserting that their tenures were legitimately extended by the assembly led by Amaewhule.
On the contrary, youths of Ijaw descent gathered outside the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Secretariat in support of Governor Fubara, who opposed the bill. They demonstrated peacefully, singing, dancing, and displaying Ijaw Youth Congress flags while emphasising solidarity with Fubara through placards.
In response to potential unrest, the Rivers State Police Command, led by Commissioner Olatunji Disu, issued a warning against any disruptive activities.
He assured residents of maintaining peace and urged politicians and their supporters to refrain from hostilities pending the court’s decision. Commissioner Disu emphasized the readiness of the police to intervene if necessary, underscoring their commitment to upholding public order in the South-South state.
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