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June 18, 2024
The governor's move comes in response to the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
The sacked Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government in Rivers State, Dr. Ishi Samuel, has accused the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Hon. Ehie Edison of hiring gunmen who go around local government councils, shooting at sacked local council chairmen and their supporters.
He also alleged that the armed thugs destroyed property.
Samuel in a viral video said Governor Fubara brought insecurity to the state in the name of governance.
He, therefore, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the crisis ravaging the state.
The visibly angry former council chairman said, “They are going from local government by local government, breaking local government secretariats, looting council properties in the name of governing a state and you say Governor Fubara is best for democracy.
“We are calling on Mr President that this is the time for the constitution of Nigeria to be upheld. The governor of Rivers State has brought full blown insecurity into Rivers State.
“He has gone to creeks, hired gunmen who come in and they are shooting at local government chairmen. They are shooting at local government councils. They even shot policemen, sponsored by the governor and his chief of staff, Ehie Edison. It is a shame.
“Ikwerre local government people will sit down and wait for the decision of the court of appeal that states clearly that status quo should be maintained.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that there was tension in Port Harcourt, the state capital as youths allegedly loyal to Governor Fubara had taken over all the council secretariats in the state and prevented council chairpersons from gaining entrance.
The tenures of the chairpersons elapsed on June 17, 2024.
In several videos shared on X (formerly Twitter), residents and political supporters of the governor are seen taking over Port Harcourt City and Omuma council areas.
Fubara had directed all heads of local government administration to assume control of the state's 23 council areas.
The governor's move comes in response to the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
In a broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Fubara instructed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the councils promptly and with renewed commitment.
He emphasised the importance of upholding the constitution and maintaining law and order, urging HLGAs to provide continued leadership in their respective areas.
On Monday, anxiety gripped Degema and Asari-Toru councils as youths seized control of their secretariats following the end of the tenure of chairmen, councillors, and other officials.
In a viral video, an unidentified leader of a joint task force on anti-bunkering threatened action, announcing preparations to escort caretaker committees to councils, including a confrontation with the outgoing chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike.
However, shortly after Governor Fubara's statewide broadcast, some residents trooped to the council secretariats to ensure that the former council chairmen did not access the council headquarters before eventually vacating their seats.
In one of the videos, the former Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Allwell Ihunda, and his security details were chased out when he tried to gain illegal entrance to the council.
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