Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has announced that the 23 local government councils in the state will operate from alternative secretariats following their sealing by the police on Tuesday, June 18.
After swearing in the 23 local government caretaker committee chairmen on Wednesday, June 19, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the governor stated that they could operate from any location.
Fubara made this statement as the police prevented the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen from accessing their offices at all 23 local government headquarters. The secretariats were barricaded with police patrol vans manned by armed officers.
On Tuesday, the state police command announced that it had taken control of all local government council headquarters to prevent further bloodshed and maintain law and order.
This action followed a clash in Eberi-Omuma, Omuma Local Government Area, between supporters of the governor and his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, resulting in the deaths of a police officer and a member of a local security outfit.
Fubara and his predecessor have been engaged in a bitter disagreement since late last year.
The crisis escalated with the bombing of the state House of Assembly in October 2023, which factionalized the House. During this period, the governor survived an impeachment attempt led by 27 lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Martin Amaewhule.
Tensions heightened on Tuesday when youths supporting the governor removed some chairmen aligned with Wike after their tenure expired. The three-year term of the 23 chairmen concluded on Monday, but they had vowed to stay in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
The law enacted by the 27 lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Wike empowers the chairmen to remain in office for six months, citing Fubara’s failure to conduct local government elections.
In defense of appointing the caretaker chairmen, the governor stated, “What is happening here now is a defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country.
“It is not about Rivers State. It is not about Fubara. But if in any way this attempt at tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria.
“So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Fubara questioned why elected officials would seek to extend their tenure beyond its expiration, disregarding their oath of office and the Nigerian Constitution.
The governor emphasized that such attempts to prolong the tenure of council chairmen would not be tolerated in the state.
He emphasized the importance of reviewing the financial management of the 23 Local Government Councils over the past three years. Fubara directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to initiate an audit of the accounts and deliver the report within the next month.
Fubara also urged the new chairmen to prioritize the settlement of outstanding financial obligations, including salaries and entitlements owed to the immediate past chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors.
He added, “I am not of the class to say that because something happened, you should maltreat them. No. Whatever is their entitlements, ensure that they get them.”
The Local Government secretariats of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Ikwerre, and other council headquarters across the state were under lock and key with police patrol vans stationed and fierce-looking operatives.
The caretaker Chairman of the Ikwerre LGA, Dr Darlington Orji, said he was not able to access the council following the barricade mounted by the police. He, however, said he had assumed duties and could control the council affairs from anywhere.
Orji stated, “The police have taken over the place. When the police have taken over the place, what do you expect me to do?”
Speaking on whether work had started, he responded in the affirmative.
Also, the caretaker Chairman of the Ogu/Bolo LGA, Evans Bipi, who could not access the secretariat, inaugurated other committee members outside the council secretariat and charged them to serve with diligence and honesty.
He said although the council was shut, he had assumed duties.
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