June 18, (THEWILL)- Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA) to immediately take charge of the 23 council areas of Rivers State, following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the councils’ chairmen, their deputies and councillors on June 17, 2024.
A press statement, issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, said Fubara gave the directive in a statewide broadcast Tuesday morning.
“I wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the law.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State.
“I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.
“Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.Â
“I assure you, my good people of Rivers State, that we shall continue to defend you, and provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers.
“Once again, I thank you, my dear good people of Rivers State, for your steadfast support and dedication to our shared vision of unity, progress and prosperity”, the Governor said.
Earlier, some of the elected council officials loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, led by Emohua Local Council boss, Chidi Lloyd had vowed not to vacate office after June 17, stating that the tenure of the chairmen had been extended for six months by the state Assembly.
THEWILL recalls that a state High Court in Port Harcourt had, last month,  nullified the tenure extension of the 23 local council chairmen, declaring section 2 of the  Rivers State Local Government Law No.4 of 2024, which extended their tenure by six months after the expiration of their tenure, unconstitutional, null, void and void and inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Ruling on the suit filed by the chairmen of Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro local government areas, Justice Diaketima Kio held that the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly overreached itself and that its actions were contrary to the provisions of the amended Nigerian Constitution.
Also, the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, in its ruling on Thursday, urged the warring parties in the Rivers Assembly Crisis to maintain the status quo.
On Monday, youths in Degema and Asari-Toru LGs shut down the Secretariats of the two Local Governments demanding the immediate vacation of the elected council officials.
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