BY Samuel Akpan
Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has asked the heads of local government administration to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas of the state.
Fubara gave the directive during a statewide broadcast on Tuesday.
The three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons and councillors ended on Monday.
Hundreds of youths had protested at Dageme, Asari Toru, and Akuku Toru LGAs, calling for the chairpersons to vacate their offices.
“I come before you today with immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support to me and my administration. I urge us all to reflect on the shared sacrifice we have all made to have a peaceful and prosperous Rivers state and indeed Nigeria. It is my wish that we continue to live in peace and harmony as one,” Fubara said in his address.
“Together, we have achieved milestones in different sectors of our economy which includes infrastructure, health, education, workers welfare, improved service delivery, agriculture and social welfare that resonates deeply within our communities.
“Your dogged and committed support has been the bedrock of progress, and for that, I extend my sincerest thanks. I also wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June 2024, as provided for by the law.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Rives state, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers state. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct heads of local government administration (HLGAS) to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.
“Heads of local government administration (HLGAS) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.”
The governor assured residents of the state of his resolve to “provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers”.
BACKGROUND
The tenure of the LG chairpersons has been fraught with controversy amid the political crisis in the south-south state.
In May, the Rivers chapter of the Association of Local Government Areas of Nigeria (ALGON) accused Fubara of withholding the funds meant for the LGAs since April.
Allwell Ihunda, then-chairman of ALGON, said Fubara was “starving the third tier of government of the needed funds to discharge their functions”.
Most of the outgoing LG chairpersons are loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and immediate past governor of Rivers.
Fubara and Wike are at loggerheads over the political control of the state.
The political crisis has lingered for months, factionalising the state house of assembly.
In April, the Rivers assembly passed the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Fubara 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 outgoing 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 27 house of assembly members have said they will resist attempts by Fubara to install caretaker chairpersons in the 23 LGAs.
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