Youths protest in Rivers over ‘tenure extension’ for LGA chairpersons

Some youths have protested at three LGAs in Rivers over the alleged extension of the tenure of the 23 council chairpersons in the state.

The council chairpersons who assumed office in 2018 are expected to finish their tenure on June 17, 2024.

Last month, the Rivers house of assembly amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 amid the political crisis in the state.

The amended law allows the house of assembly to extend the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors where elections are not held before the expiration of their three-year tenure.

Despite a court judgment nullifying the amendment, hundreds of aggrieved youths protested at Dageme, Asari Toru, and Akuku Toru LGAs on Monday, calling for the chairpersons to vacate their offices.

On Friday, 27 house of assembly members promised to resist any attempt by Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, to install caretaker members in the 23 LGAs.

Martins Amaewhule, the house speaker, said Fubara should not bother sending names of caretaker committees to the house to fill vacant council positions.

He said the governor’s list would not be accepted, adding that the assembly would reject any attempt to constitute caretaker chairpersons for the local government areas.

“The governor should not send any lists to us. We are not expecting any list because caretaker committees are indeed an aberration,” he said.

“There will be nothing like a caretaker committee. The constitution remains the ground norm, and we will continue to abide by it.”