Rivers Will Not Set Precedence On LG Tenure Extension – Fubara Says

 …Tasks 23 CTC chairman to maintain peace,

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, declared that his administration will not stay aloof and watch tenure elongation which is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to take place in the State.

He specifically said that such insistence to elongate tenure of Council chairmen will not happen in Rivers State, and advised the out-gone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return home.

Governor Fubara, who stated these while swearing-in Caretaker committee chairmen and members for the 23 Local Government Councils, said if in any way the attempt of tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it will become a norm in Nigeria.

The Governor charged chairmen and members for the 23 to eschew violence, maintain the peace, and be guided by the Constitution, so as to promote inclusive administration, unity and achieve progress at the grassroots.

He specifically directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to commence immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 Councils.

Fubara said that the swearing-in of the chairmen will ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of tenure of elected chairmen and councillors in the State.

The Governor who performed the swearing-in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt, amid cheers, jubilations and commendations as the right step to douse the tension and bring everybody in the political space together, said the exercise demonstrated his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that does not provide for tenure elongation.

The swearing-in followed the screening and confirmation of the nominees for caretaker committee chairmen and members by the State House of Assembly at the plenary presided over by its Speaker, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, on Wednesday.

The list of seven-member nominees per local government council was forwarded to the Assembly pursuant to Section 9 (5) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, for screening and confirmation.

The Governor said; “What is happening here now is a defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country”.

Fubara wondered why tenure of elected officers will expire, and they want to perpetuate themselves in office against their oath of office and the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.

He said; “So, for those people who are saying, the only reason why we (they) want to continue in office is because election has not be conducted, we have more than 85 percent of the States in Nigeria that are being run by caretaker committees.

“Ours is not different, you had your tenure, you have completed your tenure, it is proper you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, doesn’t mean I should, because I want to please you, allow you to stay longer. No. It doesn’t happen like that. People must take over, manage the affairs and elections will be conducted,” the Governor stressed.

Governor Fubara said it was important to know how the finances of the 23 Local Government Councils were managed in the last three years, and therefore directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to begin auditing the accounts and make the report available within the next one month.

In the words of Fubara; “I also want to say that, for the local government activities in the past three years, I would want to mandate: which is official assignment, not even a statutory duty, that the Auditor-General should immediately commence the audit of the 23 Local Government Councils in the past three years, and come up with the result in the next one month.

“It is important so that we will know what has happened and how our funds were being used in those 23 Local Government Areas. It is important so that it will be a check for those people who are also coming”.

Fubara told the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen that their tenure will not be too long because the process for the conduct of fresh elections of local government chairmen and councillors in our State has started.

He advised them to resume at their respective Local Government Councils with utmost sense of duty and commitment to serve the people and protect the interest of Rivers State and warned them against any form of confrontation, insisting that such is not in his nature and style, thus, advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the Local Government Councils.

He said; “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some persons caused it. So, let us not give them the opportunity to continue to make our State look bad in the comity of States.

“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law- abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the Local Government today”.

Fubara directed them to ensure that they compute and pay the outstanding financial benefits and entitlements, including salaries of the outgone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors, saying; “I am not of the class to say that because something happened, you should maltreat them. No. Whatever is their entitlement, ensure that they get it”.

Those sworn-in include:  Madigai Dickson as chairman of Abua/Odual; while Hon. Happy Benneth is chairman of Ahoada East; Ahoada West has Mr. Daddy John Green as chairman; just as Barrister Otonye Briggs chairs Akuku-Toru; with Andoni chaired by Barrister Reginald Ekaan; and Asari-Toru, chaired by Orolosoma Amachree.

In Bonny, Alabota Anengi Barasua returned as chairperson; while in Degema, Anthony Soberekon is the chairman; with Eleme having Brain Gokpa as chairman, just as David Omereji is the chairman of Emohua; while John Otamiri Nkugbo is the chairman of Etche.

Also, Gokana has Κεννετη Kpeden as chairman; Ikwerre has Dr. Darlington Orji; Khana has Amb. Marvin Yobana; Obio/Akpor has Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni has Princewill Ejekwe as chairman; Ogu/Bolo is chaired by Rt. Hon. Evans B. Biρι; Okrika is chaired by Princess I. B. Ogan; Omuma chairman is Promise Reginald; Οροβο/Νκoro chairman, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam returns; while Oyigbo has Hon. Gogo Phillip as chairman; with Ichemati Ezebunwo in charge of Port Harcourt City; just as Hon. Matthew Dike is the CTC chairman of Tai.