Armed police operatives have been deployed to the secretariats of four local government councils in Rivers State due to tensions surrounding the expiration of the LG chairmen’s tenures. The affected local governments include Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East, and Ogu/Bolo.
The presence of police vans at the entrances of these secretariats follows protests by youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs. The protesting youths occupied their respective council secretariats, chanting solidarity songs in support of anticipated appointees by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to temporarily manage the councils.
The tenure extension for the outgoing LG chairmen, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was granted by an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018, passed 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. In contrast, LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, loyal to Governor Fubara, marked the end of their tenures with a thanksgiving service.
Governor Fubara has yet to announce an official list of Caretaker Committee Chairmen to manage the affairs of the various LGAs following the expiration of the current chairmen’s tenures.
