*Says There’s No Constitutional Provisions For Tenure Elongation
*Police Take Over 23 Council Offices As Wike’s Loyalists Vow To Resist Caretaker Committee
RIVERS State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, June 19, inaugurated new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local councils.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, in batches, amid tight security, following the approval of the state House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
The lawmakers had earlier invited the nominees for screening as early as 8am the same day, where they were approved.
The chairmen are Madigai Dickson (Abua/Odua); Happy Bennett (Ahoada East); Daddy John Green (Ahoada West); Otonye Briggs (Akuku Toru); Reginald Ekaan (Andoni); Orolosoma Amachree (Asari Toru); Alabota Anengi Barasua (Bonny); Anthony Soberekon (Degema); Brain Gokpa (Eleme); David Omereji (Emouha); John Otamiri (Etche); Kenneth Kpeden (Gokana) and Darlington Orji (Ikwerre).
Others are Marvin Yobana (Khana); Chijioke Ihunwo (Obia/Akpor); Princewill Ejekwe (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni); Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo): Princess Ogan (Okrika); Promise Reginald (Omuma); Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro); Gogo Philip (Oyigbo); Ichemati Ezebunwo (Port Harcourt); Matthew Dike (Tai).
This has added a new twist to the political crisis in the state months after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law, which the lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, voted to override, following Fubara refusal to assent to the Bill.
That law empowered the Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, vice and councillors where it is impossible to hold council elections before the end of their three-year tenure, which expired at midnight on Monday, June 17.
But the said law has been voided by a state High Court, saying it was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
That judgment has been appealled and the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, is scheduled to deliver ruling on the matter on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
On Tuesday, June 18, Fubara declared that there was no provision for tenure elongation for elected council chairmen in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended).
Addressing journalists at the end of a security council meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, held at Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor said the meeting was called because of the threat to the peace of the state arising from the expiration of the tenure of the former council bosses.
He stated: “We will fearlessly lead the way to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state, while protecting all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth.
“The law on local government tenure is unambiguous. The court clearly affirmed the position of the law. The law is the law, there is no extension of the local government tenure in it. The court says so.”
Fubara vowed to protect his supporters and resist any “grand plan to arrest” them, while commending the media and peace-loving people of the state for their support, even as he urged everyone to continue to remain law-abiding for the unity and progress of the state.
He had earlier, in a state broadcast, directed heads of administration in the 23 local councils to take over from the former chairmen.
While appreciating the efforts and dedication of the former council chairmen to public service, the governor said the decision was in consonance with the constitutional provision and the need to ensure peace and order in the state.
Meanwhile, the state Police Command, on Tuesday, confirmed the killing of a Police officer and a vigilante in Omuma Local Council during a bloody clash between supporters of two political groups at the council headquarters.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko (SP), said investigation was ongoing to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
Iringe-Koko added, in a statement, that the Police had occupied the council secretariats to forestall violence.
According to the statement: “Following the breakdown of law and order in the various local government council secretariats in Rivers State, where supporters of the two political factions clashed over the tenure of council chairmen, a case of death was recorded at Eberi-Omuma, Omuma LGA, where a Police officer and a vigilante were killed.
“To forestall more bloodshed and prevent a further breakdown of law and order, the Police have taken over all the 23 council secretariats and some critical government infrastructure in the state. Conventional Police officers and anti-riot Police officers have been deployed to these facilities.
“While urging all groups and individuals to be law-abiding, the Command also warns anyone who intends to cause mayhem, as we will not hesitate to impose the full weight of the law on them.
“We also wish to ask the law-abiding residents and visitors in the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear. We are resolved to carry out our constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.”
Despite the calls for caution, some youths suspected to be loyal the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, June 19, gathered around the premises of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council (PHALGA).
A leaders of the crowd, Maxwell Enwukwe, a former council chairman and currently Coordinator of Grassroots Development Initiate in the council, vowed to resist any attempt by the new caretaker committee to take over the reigns.
He stated: “These are the youths from Port Harcourt Local Government Council, we have come to make sure there is peace and order in our local government council, because yesterday, we got a wind of some persons that went to gather some hoodlums to come and besiege the council even when there was public holiday.
“So, today we have come to know why that, but luckily the Police have taken over the local government council and so everybody is just here peacefully. Nothing is happening. These are grassroots development initiative supporters of the minister of FCT.”
The crowd has also refused to leave the PHALGA environment, which is a stone stroll from the Government House.
