Rivers Crisis: Fubara Swears In 23 New Caretaker Chairmen

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state amid tight security due to a crisis that engulfed yesterday over the eviction of the former council bosses.

The new heads were sworn in a day after he forwarded the list to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Mr Victor Jumbo.

The South-South state’s political turmoil has taken on yet another turn with this event months after the Local Government Amendment Bill was signed into law by the Rivers Assembly,

Governor Fubara refused to sign the measure, but the legislators under the factional Speaker, Mr Martin Amaewhule, vetoed it.

The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.

However, a judge invalidated the modified statute, which led to an appeal. The appellate court is scheduled to provide a decision on the case on June 20, 2024.

Following the youths’ blockade of the secretariats on Monday, Mr Rowland Sekibo of the Akuku-Toru local government council and Onengiyeofori George of the Asari-Toru local government council appealed for peace in the wake of the dispute over the extension of the terms of the local chairpersons and councillors.

They maintained that the assembly headed by Mr Amaewhule legitimately extended its term.

However, on Tuesday, some youths of Ijaw extraction camped outside the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Secretariat in solidarity with Governor Fubara’s directive.

They sat in canopies, sang, danced, and waved the Ijaw Youth Congress flags. Some of them displayed placards with solidarity messages for the Governor amid heavy security presence.

Names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Governor Fubara

Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson

Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth

Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green

Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs

Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan

Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree

Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua

Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon

Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa

Emouha LGA – David Omereji

Etche LGA – John Otamiri

Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden

Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji

Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana

Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo

Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe

Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi

Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan

Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald

Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam

Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip

Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo

Tai LGA – Matthew Dike