Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is swearing in new caretaker chairmen for the state’s 23 local government areas.
The ceremony is taking place at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, amidst tight security. According to reports, the first batch of 11 caretaker chairmen are taking their oaths of office.
This event follows the governor’s submission of the list of nominees to the state House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, a day earlier. The lawmakers invited the nominees for Wednesday’s screening as early as 8 am.
Below are the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Governor Fubara:
- Abua/Odua LGA: Madigai Dickson
- Ahoada East LGA: 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: Brain Gokpa
- Emouha LGA: David Omereji
- Etche LGA: John Otamiri
- Gokana LGA: Kenneth Kpeden
- Ikwerre LGA: Darlington Orji
- Khana LGA: Marvin Yobana
- Obia/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: Matthew Dike
Background to the Crisis
This development is a new chapter in the ongoing political crisis in the state, which escalated after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law. Although Governor Fubara did not assent to the bill, the lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, overrode his decision.
The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their deputies, and councilors when elections could not be held before the end of their three-year terms. However, a court nullified the amended law, leading to an appeal. The appeal court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on June 20, 2024.
Amidst the controversy over the tenure extensions, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils, respectively, have called for peace after youths barricaded the secretariats on Monday. They assert that their tenure was legally extended by the Amaewhule-led assembly.
Support for Fubara
On Tuesday, some Ijaw youths demonstrated in support of Governor Fubara’s directive, gathering outside the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Secretariat. They sang, danced, and waved the Ijaw Youth Congress flags, displaying placards with messages of solidarity amid a heavy security presence.
Police Statement
The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Olatunji Disu, has warned against disturbances, assuring residents of peace and urging politicians and their supporters to cease hostilities pending the court’s ruling. He emphasized that the Rivers Police Command is prepared to maintain order and will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the peace in the state.
