Gunshots as residents protest amid Rivers LG council crisis

The political tension in Rivers escalated on Tuesday as residents protested at the LGA secretariats in the state.

Police officers reportedly fired multiple shots into the air to disperse protesters at the various LGA headquarters, including the Port Harcourt council secretariat. 

The residents are protesting against the reported attempts by the former LGA chairpersons to return to office.

On Tuesday, Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, during a statewide broadcast, asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.

The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons and councillors ended on Monday.

Despite the governor’s directive, Allwell Ihunda, former chairman of Port Harcourt City LGA, reportedly made his way to the council secretariat on Monday but was chased away by youths.

BACKGROUND

In April, the Rivers assembly passed the local government amendment bill into law despite Fubara’s refusal to give his assent.

The amendment empowers the lawmakers, via resolution, to extend the tenure of elected chairpersons of LGAs and councillors, where it is considered impracticable to hold elections before the expiration of their three-year term in office.

The Rivers assembly said the amendment was to ensure that LGA elections were conducted before the expiration of the administration.

Fubara declined assent to the bill, but the assembly vetoed his decision.

However, a court judgment nullified the amendment to the local government law.

The judgement was appealed and the appeal court is expected to deliver a ruling on June 20.

The 27 house of assembly members have said they will resist attempts by Fubara to install caretaker chairpersons in the 23 LGAs.