Despite the grinding political crisis bedeviling the state for days now, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has brushed it aside by swearing in the new Caretaker Chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.
The swearing in was conducted by Governor Fubara at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, following their screening and confirmation by the three-member State Assembly led by its Speaker, Victor Jumbo.
In a letter by the Clerk of the House, G.M. Gillis-West, Fubara said the screening and confirmation of the committee members, was to avoid a vacuum in the administration of the LGAs following the expiration of the tenure of the elected chairmen on Monday.
Earlier, Fubara had directed heads of local government administration to take charge of the 23 council areas of the state.
You may also read
- Gov Fubara sad over tanker explosion that claims lives, houses
- Rivers impasse: Tinubu brokers peace, directs Fubara, Wike to abide
- Mistake maker of the century- Charley Boy mocks Nyesom Wike
The Governor sent the names for screening and confirmation on Tuesday, following the expiration of the local government Chairmen’s tenure on June 17, 2024.
Below are the names sworn in the governor.
Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson
Ahoada East LGA – Hon. Happy Benneth
Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green
Akuku Toru LGA – Otonye Briggs
Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan
Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree
Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua
Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon
Eleme LGA – Brian Gokpa
Emohua LGA – David Omereji
Etche LGA – John Otamiri
Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden
Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji
Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
Obio/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
Oyigbo LGA – Gogo Philip
Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
Tai LGA – Hon. Matthew Dike
Fubara mandated the auditor-general of the state, to begin the audit of the accounts of the 23 Local Government Areas for the past three years.
While swearing in the Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the Local Government Areas, the governor said the measure is intended to serve as a check for the incoming officials.
He urged the caretaker chairmen not to see themselves as superheroes, but to protect the interests of their people, and demonstrate that the government made the right choice in appointing them.
The Rivers State Chief Executive emphasised that the current events are a product of democracy.
Fubara explained that the fight against tenure extension is not just about the state, but the entire country, as allowing it in one state could lead to it being replicated nationwide.
He pointed out that Rivers State was not doing anything unusual, as most states in the country are also run by caretaker committees.
He, however, cautioned that their tenure would not be excessively long, because the process for local government area elections would commence soon.
The governor warned against violence, stating that it is not his approach, urging the officials to sort out the salaries and entitlements of the outgoing chairmen.
Reps slam felony on outgone Chairmen
Some members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of G-60 have urged Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to charge former local government chairmen in the state with treason for attempting to continue in office despite the expiration of their three-year tenure.
The group led by the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, stated this at a press briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday. Aliyu Mustapha (PDP, Kaduna), Matthew Nwogu (LP, Imo) and Midaila Usman(PDP, Borno) were also at the press briefing.
Ugochinyere said, “We also appreciate Governor Siminalayi Fubara for being a democratic leader. Despite all the provocation, he allowed the former local government chairmen to complete their three-year tenure unlike his predecessor, who upon election in 2015, dissolved the local government chairmen under Governor Amaechi despite order of court.
“We wish to call on the government of Rivers State to immediately prepare treason charges against the 23 former LGA chairmen and their sponsors and co-conspirators for the failed attempt to unlawfully takeover the government of the 23 LGA knowing full well that their tenure had elapsed and they are no longer local government chairmen.”
“Section 37 Criminal Code Act (1) provides that “Any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason, and is liable to the punishment of death.
“(2) Any person conspiring with any person, either within or without Nigeria, to levy war against the State with intent to cause such levying of war as would be treason if committed by a citizen of Nigeria, is guilty of treason and is liable to the punishment of death:
“Provided that nothing in this section shall prevent any act from being treason which is so by the laws of England as in force in Nigeria,” he added.
Police said two people who died were a policeman and a member of a vigilante group and that they were killed at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area of the state during a clash between supporters of Fubara and those of his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
How court fails to stop Fubara
The Appeal Court in Port Harcourt on Friday, June 14, 2024, failed to stop Gov Sim Fubara of Rivers State from dissolving the local councils on June 18, 2024, a day after the tenure of the present chairmen and councilors.
This has been the matter in question as a major faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly controlled by the Nyesom Wike-backed but defected lawmakers had extended the tenure of the councils for another six months.
The Gov Fubara-backed lawmakers led by Victor Jumbo on the other hand did not endorse any tenure elongation. Many of the camps rushed to court to get backing, and the courts have continued to give conflicting rulings.
Ruling on a major case expected to determine what would happen on June 18 took place this Friday, June 14, 2024. The Appeal Court justice failed to issue an order stopping any action. The justice rather ruled that the status quo be maintained.
Problem is that both camps have gone to the social media to claim opposite interpretations.
The ruling of the Appeal Court may have rather added anxiety to what many now call the ‘Ides of June’ in Rivers State.
Now, the Appeal Court asked parties to maintain status quo, and adjourned to June 20, which would be few days after the expiry date of the council chairman.
Many say the governor may have completed whatever action he would want to take on the LGAs before June 20.
The Court of Appeal adopted virtual (zoom) method to host the ruling apparently to stop crowds at the court.
The panel of justices led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada gave its ruling on two motions filed by the speaker of one faction, Martins Amaewhule, and the other defected lawmakers on a case No. CA/PH/198/2024 challenging the order of injunction granted by the Rivers State High Court restraining them from acting as lawmakers.
The Appeal Court in ruling on the first motion granted the appellants’ prayers for leave to compile and transmit the records of appeal, deeming the appellants’ brief of argument as filed, accelerated hearing and a stay of further proceedings at the High Court.
