On Wednesday morning, Siminialayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, conducted the swearing-in ceremony of new caretaker committee chairmen in all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
This followed the expiry of the three-year tenure of the elected chairpersons, vice chairpersons, and councillors of the LGAs on Monday.
The new caretaker committee chairmen are are Madigai Dickson (Abua/Odual LGA), Happy Benneth (Ahoada East LGA), Daddy Green (Ahoada West LGA), Otonye Briggs (Akuku Toru LGA), Reginald Ekaan (Andoni LGA), Orolosoma Amachree (Asari Toru LGA), and Alabota Anengi Barasua (Bonny LGA).
Others are Anthony Soberekan (Degema LGA), Brain Gokpa (Eleme LGA), David Omereji (Emohua LGA), John Nkugbo (Etche LGA), Kenneth Kpeden (Gokna LGA), Darlington Orji (Ikwere LGA), Marvin Yobana (Khana LGA), Chijoke Ihunwo (Obio/Akpor LGA), Princewill Ejekwe and (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA).
They also include Evans Bipi (Ogu/Bolo LGA), Princess Ogan (Okrika LGA), Promise Reginald (Omuma LGA), Enyiada Cookey-Gam (Opobo/Nkoro LGA), Ogogo Philip (Oyigbo LGA), Ichemati Ezebunwo (Port Harcourt LGA), and Matthew Dike (Tai LGA).
Subsequently, Governor Fubara directed the heads of local government administration to assume immediate control of the 23 council areas, as some former LGA chairpersons attempted to resume duty at the council secretariats and were reportedly repelled by youths, leading to political tension and public protests at some LGA secretariats in the state.
The crisis in the Rivers LGAs stemmed from the passage of the local government amendment bill into law by the Rivers State Assembly in April. This amendment, despite Fubara's objection, gave the lawmakers the power to extend the tenure of elected LGAs' chairpersons and councillors if it was impracticable to hold elections before the expiration of their three-year term.
Fubara's refusal to assent to the bill was overturned by the assembly through a veto. However, a court judgment nullified the amendment, sparking further legal processes.
The appeal court is expected to deliver a ruling on June 20 amidst Fubara's attempt to install caretaker chairpersons in the 23 LGAs, which faces resistance from the 27 house of assembly members.