The tenure of local government chairmen, their deputies and councillors in Rivers will expire on Monday, sparkling tension across the state.

The succession tension was said to be part of the general crisis rocking the State, which had prevented the institution of a democratic process to fill the vacancies.

Most of the elected officials at the grassroots loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, vowed not to vacate their offices after today.

In May, 21 chairmen under the auspices of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) led by their Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, met in Port Harcourt and insisted they would not vacate their offices in June.

The Legal Adviser of ALGON and Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Dr. Iraatus Awoto, explained their decision was hinged on the new provision of the state’s Local Government Amendment Law passed without the assent of the state Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara by the Speaker Martins Amaewhule-led lawmakers.

Awoto said: “Yes, we got elected in 2021 and our tenure is to expire in June. But by now LG elections ought to have been concluded and the winners awaiting swearing in.

The court’s judgment also declared the six-month tenure elongation provided for in the new amendment as invalid.

The court’s judgment was based on a suit filed by the chairmen of Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro local government areas seeking nullification of the new law.

In the judgment, Justice Diaketima Kio held that the Amaewhule-led House of Assembly overreached itself and that its actions were contrary to the provisions of the amended Nigerian Constitution.

It was observed that palpable tension enveloped the state at the weekend as residents expressed fear of possible breakout of violence following the confusion.

At the weekend Amaewhule declared that the Assembly members would not accept any caretaker committee arrangement for local government areas from the Governor describing such moves as an aberration.

He said: “Many Rivers people have been calling and worried particularly with regards to the tenure of local government chairmen and vice-chairmen as their offices elapse in few days.

Though the governor had yet to constitute caretaker committees for the LGA, his government had insisted that the chairmen must vacate office after tomorrow.

Fubara told the occupants recently that their days were numbered and that they should be prepared to leave after June 17.

The Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, said the aggrieved chairmen were simply pursuing a mirage.

“What they are pursuing is a smokescreen, a fluke, and a mirage. It has no basis in law. Too many wrongs can never make one right.

“It is a settled law that their tenure will expire on the 17th of June and by the 18th of June they will no longer be eligible to be called chairmen. It means their responsibilities have turned to what is called functus Officio. They should stop deceiving Rivers people,” he said.

Johnson’s position is believed to have been strengthened and fine-tuned by the High court’s judgment that scrapped the tenure elongation law.

Reading their position at the weekend in Port Harcourt, the Co-Chairman of the group, Amb. Oji Ngofa, asked Fubara to send names of caretaker committee chairmen for local government areas to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers for screening and confirmation.

Ngofa said: “The Tenure of Local Government Councils Ends on June 17, 2024 The Supreme Council for SIM Worldwide denounce the Local Council Chairmen that disrespect the office and person of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“We reject as unconstitutional the attempted elongation of the tenure of local councils by the Martins Amaewhule-led former lawmakers. (The Nation)

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