Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has directed Heads of Administration in the 23 Local Government Areas of the state to assume leadership of the councils.
Fubara gave the directive in a state-wide broadcast in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday, following the expiration of the tenure of the 23 LG chairmen at midnight on Monday, June 17.
He emphasised that the transfer of power to the administrators was critical to ensuring the continuity of governance in the LGAs.
The governor said: “The heads of administration are directed to immediately take charge of the councils and provide leadership in their respective LGAs.
“They must do this with renewed vigour and readiness to serve, while awaiting further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
“The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be upheld and law and order must be maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people.”
Fubara: I started governing Rivers February
Fubara commended the former chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors for their dedicated service during their tenures, acknowledging their sacrifices and contributions to the development of their LGAs.
He reassured the people of Rivers State that his administration would persist in delivering infrastructure, quality healthcare services, education, and enhanced welfare packages for the residents and workers in the state.
Meanwhile, the 23 local government chairmen, who are believed to be loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, have vowed to remain in office after June 17, citing a law enacted by 27 “pro-Wike lawmakers” extending their tenure by six months.
The state ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, insisted that the chairmen would not relinquish their positions and dared Fubara to force them out.
He warned that any attempt to remove them from office would be resisted.
The pro-Wike lawmakers had amended the Local Government Law to extend the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors by six months, if elections were not conducted before the end of their term.
But the Rivers State High Court later barred the lawmakers from parading themselves as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly after they defected from the PDP to the APC.
The court also nullified laws passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led factional House and declared their seats vacant after they openly defected to the opposition APC in December.
Subsequently, the 27 lawmakers took the matter to the Court of Appeal which would decide the fate of the embattled lawmakers and LG chairmen on June 20.
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