The Police have deployed armed operatives to the secretariats of four local government councils in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenures of the LG chairmen.
Police vans are currently stationed at the entrances of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East, and Ogu/Bolo LGAs.
Earlier, youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs occupied their respective council secretariats, protesting against the extension of the LG chairmen’s tenures. Videos circulating on social media show the youths chanting solidarity songs in support of the temporary appointees expected to be named by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The outgoing LG chairmen, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had their tenures extended by an amendment to Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 by a faction of the State House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule. However, a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, nullified this extension, declaring the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.
Despite the court’s ruling, Samuel Nwanosike, chairman of Ikwerre LGA, has vowed to remain in office. Conversely, two LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, who are loyal to Fubara, celebrated the end of their tenures with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.
As of now, Governor Fubara has not released an official list of Caretaker Committee Chairmen to manage the affairs of the various LGAs following the expiration of the current chairmen’s tenures.