Tension has gripped several of Rivers State’s 23 local government areas as the tenure of council chairmen is set to expire at midnight on June 17.
The unrest stems from the decision by the local government chairmen, under the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), to remain in office.
Advertorial
They cite the Local Government Amendment Law No 2 of 2024, passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, which extends their tenure by six months.
Allwell Ihunda, Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and State ALGON Chairman, insists that this law permits them to stay in office.
This amendment was enacted by lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, to counter Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged failure to conduct local government elections.
Advertorial
Governor Fubara, during an event in Port Harcourt last month, warned the chairmen not to disrupt the state’s peace, emphasizing that their tenures were nearing an end.
Former Speaker Amaewhule also cautioned the governor against appointing caretaker committee members for the councils, stating that lawmakers would oppose such moves.
The outgoing council chairmen, elected during Wike’s tenure as governor, have been at odds with Governor Fubara.
Advertorial
The friction between Wike and his successor has led to the chairmen enacting several laws despite the governor’s opposition.
In response to the chairmen’s refusal to leave office, youths in Degema stormed the council secretariat early Monday, locking the entrance and vowing not to let the chairmen stay past their tenure. Singing war songs and chants in their local dialects, they declared the chairman a failure and demanded his departure.
In Asari-Toru Local Government Area, hundreds of youths occupied the council headquarters in Degema, gathering in front of the secretariat and along the road leading to it.
They pledged to remain until Wednesday when work resumes, daring the chairmen to appear.
Meanwhile, in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor LGAs, a heavy security presence was observed to prevent unrest.
Six police patrol vans, manned by stern security personnel, were stationed in front of the council secretariat. However, movement was not restricted.
Obarilomate Ollor, outgoing chairman of Eleme LGA, issued a warning against attempts to oust him from office, threatening to resist any forceful entry.
Speaking at the Annual General Meeting of the Aleto Clan Association in Port Harcourt, Ollor said he was aware of plans to invade the council and warned potential invaders of severe consequences.
“Some people are ganging up, they want to use force to enter into the local government. Let me tell you, the local government is not a community town hall or students union secretariat. That is a government facility. So stay away from there except the law permits you to go there,” Ollor asserted.
As the situation unfolds, the standoff between the local government chairmen and Governor Fubara’s administration continues to fuel tension and uncertainty in Rivers State.
