*Shooting As Ex-Council Chairmen Attempt To Resume Office
THERE was shooting on Tuesday, June 18, at the premises of Port Harcourt City Local Council of Rivers State following an attempt by the former chairman, Mr. Allwell Ihundah, whose tenure expired midnight on Monday, June 17, to resume office.
This was even as Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed Heads of Administration in the 23 local councils to assume leadership of the councils, pending the appointment of caretaker committees or conduct of elections.
Fubara, who gave the directive in a state-wide broadcast in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, June 18, emphasised that the transfer of power to the administrators was critical to ensuring the continuity of governance in the councils.
He stated: “The heads of administration are directed to immediately take charge of the councils and provide leadership in their respective LGAs.
“They must do this with renewed vigour and readiness to serve, while awaiting further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be upheld and law and order must be maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people.”
The governor praised the former chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors for their dedicated service during their tenures, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions to the development of their councils.
He reassured the public that his administration would persist in delivering infrastructure, quality healthcare services, education and enhanced welfare packages for the residents and workers of the state.
The 23 local government chairmen and councillors, believed to be loyal to the immediate past governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, had earlier vowed to remain in office beyond June 17, citing a law enacted by 27 “pro-Wike lawmakers” extending their tenure by six months, if elections were not conducted before the end of their term.
That same law was pronounced void by a state High Court in Port Harcourt, which ruled that it was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
But Ihunda, who was the state ALGON chairman, had consistently insisted that the chairmen would not relinquish their positions and dared Fubara to force them out, warning that any attempt to remove them from office would be resisted.
The state High Court later barred the assemblymen from parading themselves as members of Rivers State House of Assembly after they defected from the PDP to the APC.
The court also nullified laws passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led factional Assembly and declared their seats vacant after they openly defected to the opposition APC in December.
Subsequently, the 27 lawmakers took the matter to the Court of Appeal, which would decide their fate, and ostensibly that of the ex-chairmen on June 20.
It was alleged that Ihundah had arrived at the council secretariat on Tuesday morning with his security personnel to access his office, but were stopped by youths who resumed occupation of the premises after storming it on Monday.
There were reports that the former chairman of PHALGA came to the secretariat only to pick some of his personal belongings when he was prevented from gaining access by the angry youths, allegedly forcing policemen attached to him to shooting in the air to scare the youths, who were unfazed.
The efforts to take back the councils started on Monday when some angry youths stormed the council secretariats in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema and Andoni, locked the gates and called on the ex-chairmen to stay away, as their three-year tenure expired.
As tension heightened, there was increased security presence to deterred protesters, with several Police patrol vans and armed personnel carriers guarding the offices to avert break down of law and order.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, while assuring that steps had been taken to prevent breakdown of law and order, said the Police were aware of attempted invasion of council offices and had deployed personnel to forestall any chaos.
He said: “We are aware of the crises and court orders, but we urge restraint till June 20 (when the Appeal Court will deliver judgment on the LG tussle). We expect everyone to await the decision of the court. No one should take the laws into his or her hands.
“We have deployed operatives to various strategic locations to uphold order and ensure public safety. So, we are performing our duties.”
Disu warned against defying the law and advised parents to deter their children and wards from unlawful actions and being used as canon folders in the crisis, vowing that the Command would not allow the crisis to lead to a breakdown of law and order.
