Ime Akpan
Youths in Rivers State loyal to the governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday occupied the secretariats of local government areas following the dissolution of the councils by the governor.
Fubara had in a broadcast on Tuesday, directed the outgoing chairmen in the 23 local government areas to hand over to the administrative heads of their respective councils.
The directive followed the expiration of the three-year tenure of the elected council chairmen and councillors on Monday (yesterday).
The chairmen were sworn in during the administration of the current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct heads of local government administration (HLGAS) to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.
“Heads of local government administration (HLGAS) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together,” the governor said in the broadcast.
Prior to the announcement, the former council bosses had vowed not to leave office, banking on a purported amendment of the Local government administration law of the state by the Martin Amaewhule-led state house of assembly which extended their tenure by six months.
However, the state High Court in Port Harcourt had voided the amendment
Not satisfied by the ruling, Amaewhule, who leads a group of 25 lawmakers loyal to the erstwhile governor of the state, Mr Nyesom Wike, asked the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt to vacate the high court’s order, but the appellate court declined and ordered parties to maintain the “present status quo” pending the determination of the appeal.
Following the governor’s announcement, NewsGazette gathered that the former council chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area Mr Allwell Ihundah, escaped death by the whiskers when he, escorted by his security details arrived at the secretariat.
It was gathered that he had got off his vehicle and made for the council but he was stopped by angry protested who had blocked the entrance.
They protesters allegedly attempted to get hold of him but he was shielded from attack by his security details who also shot into the air to disperse them.
The governor’s supporters also took over Emohua and Ahoada East local government area council secretariats.
At Emohua, The Nation quoted one of the youths as saying that the council is not the property of an individual.
“This council does not belong to Chidi Lloyd. It belongs to all of us. We don’t have electricity for three years. We are calling on the governor to integrate our council in his political movement. We are here if you want to kill us we are ready to die,” he was quoted to have said.
Wike’s area council, Obio-Akpor, was not also spared as one Ambassador Ihunwo Chijoke led the pro-Fubara youths to take over the secretariat.
“We have taking over the council. Wike must obey Sim. We are here…to totally take over the council,” one of the protesters was quoted as saying.
At Eleme, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni local government areas, youths marched in their numbers to seize councils’ secretariats, chanting “No to tenure elongation.”
Addressing the protesters at Emohua local government area council secretariat, the chief of staff to the governor, Mr Edison Ehie, thanked the former chairmen for standing by the law and obeying it.
“We thank God and we thank the outgone administration for standing by the law. The former chairman (of Emohua LGA) is a lawyer and I thank him for standing by the provisions of the law.
When contacted, the spokesperson for state police command, Ms Grace Iringe-Koko, said she was informed of reports of gunshots in Port Harcourt city.
“It is not the police that are shooting. Our men have been deployed already to identify and apprehend those disturbing the peace.
“As I speak to you now, the commissioner of police and the deputy commissioner of police are on patrol. Policemen that have been deployed there and they are visible.
“We will ensure nobody takes the laws into their hands under our watch. The commissioner of police on Monday said the police is ready to do its job, and that is what we are doing,” she said.
