June 17, (THEWILL)- Protesting youths and women in Degema and Asari-Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State, have shutdown the council secretariats, following the expiration of the tenure of council chairmen, their deputies and councillors, who were elected in 2021, ends this Monday, June 17, 2024.

The protesters, who blocked the entrance gate of Asari-Toru LG Secretariat, were led to the Council by the House of Representatives member representing Akuku-Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituency, Boma Goodhead.

They are demanding immediate vacation of the elected council officials from office following the expiration of their tenure.

Earlier, some of the elected 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.

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, as unconstitutional, null, 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.

Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, had said ‘maintaining status quo,’ as directed by the Appeal court, entails that Victor Oko-Jumbo continues to function as the Speaker of the State Assembly, and that the council chairmen would exit office June 17.

Speaking earlier, Amaewule said, “We have not received any request for LOCAL Govt. Caretaker Chairmen List From Gov. FUBARA and We expect that he won’t send as it is an Aberration.”

However, some local council heads across the state have packed and exited the council office on Saturday, June 15.