Muhajid Asari Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, has called on the outgoing chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Rivers State to accept the conclusion of their three-year tenure and vacate their positions.
Speaking during the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Port Harcourt on Monday, Dokubo emphasized that extending the tenures of the LG chairmen is unconstitutional.
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He highlighted that the chairmen’s terms ended on June 17th, and any attempt to prolong their stay in office would violate the oath they took.
Dokubo cautioned the former chairmen against provoking what he described as “people’s power,” warning that it could lead to serious consequences.
“The Local Government tenure has expired today (June 17, 2024). They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election according to the Constitution, they should pursue that route,” Dokubo stated.
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“There is no provision for tenure elongation in the Constitution. Their positions are tenure-bound, and that tenure has ended. They should not create unnecessary problems for the people of the state. I also advise young people not to allow themselves to be used.”
He urged the youth to understand their role in safeguarding the state’s interests against those who view their positions as personal estates. Dokubo asserted that Rivers State belongs to its people and cannot be dominated by any single individual.
“Only one person can be governor of Rivers State at a time. The people of Rivers State are greater than Muhajid Asari Dokubo, and Rivers State is greater than any individual. No one can take the people of Rivers State for granted,” he said.
Dokubo criticized those whose children are not actively involved in local issues, contrasting them with leaders like Nelson Mandela and others who have a personal stake in their communities.
“The people are demonstrating their power. They have taken over local government secretariats because it is about the people. No one can claim that we voted for a three-year tenure for a chairman and then expect the chairman to exceed that term by even one second,” he continued.
Dokubo assured that Rivers people are exercising their rights and will maintain control until new elections are conducted.
