Fubara to caretaker chairs: Don’t be confrontational… you can operate from anywhere

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has urged new LGA caretaker chairpersons to avoid confrontation in their respective jurisdictions.

Fubara spoke on Wednesday after the swearing-in of the new caretaker committee chairpersons in the 23 LGAs of Rivers.

The Rivers governor directed the chairpersons to compute and pay outstanding entitlements of immediate-past elected chairpersons and councillors.

Fubara said he will not punish the immediate-past elected chairpersons despite the controversy that trailed their last days in office.

He urged the caretaker chairpersons to be law abiding, adding that they can run the affairs of the LGAs from anywhere.

“Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people,” Fubara said.

“Some persons caused it. So, let us not give them the opportunity to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states.

“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law-abiding. I don’t want any confrontation.

“You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the local government today.

“I am not of the class to say that because something happened, you should maltreat them (referring to immediate-past LGA elected chairpersons). No. Whatever is their entitlement, ensure that they get it.”

BACKGROUND

On Monday, the three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons and councillors of the LGAs elapsed.

On Tuesday, Fubara asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.

Some of the former LGA chairpersons were chased away by youths as they attempted to gain entry to the secretariats.

During the clash at Eberi-Omuma community in Okuama LGA, a police officer and one vigilante member were killed.

Subsequently, the Rivers police command announced the take over of the council headquarters following the clashes between supporters of Fubara and the elected chairpersons who are loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).