- Directs Heads of Councils Administration to Take Charge of Councils in Rivers State As Chairmen’s Tenure Expires
By Tolúlopé Olátúnjí
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has instructed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately assume control of the 23 council areas in the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected local government officials.
The News Diplomat had reported that a three-year tenure for elected local government Council chairmen of the state came to an end on Monday, June 17, 2024, as ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, and many others issued stern warning to the 23 Council chairmen to vacate their respective offices without exception.
Fubara’s directive which came via a statewide broadcast on Tuesday morning and was detailed in a follow up statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi said the LGAs should now be manned by HLGAs in the meantime.
In his broadcast, Fubara acknowledged the service of the outgoing local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors whose tenure ended on Monday, June 17, 2024.
Fubara stated:“I wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday, the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the law,”
“On behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State. I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours,” he added.
The state governor emphasized the importance of maintaining law and order and upholding the constitution, directing HLGAs to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.
Fubara directed: “Heads of Local Government Administration are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together,”
Governor Fubara also reassured the people of Rivers State of his commitment to their welfare and the development of the state.
“I assure you, my good people of Rivers State, that we shall continue to defend you, provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers,” he pledged.
It would be recalled that following the expiration of the local government officials’ tenure, some youths in the Degema and Asari-Toru LGAs took over their council headquarters on Monday. Additionally, there were heavy security presence in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area and Obio/Akpor LGA to prevent any security breaches.
However, the outgoing chairman of Eleme LGA, Obarilomate Ollor, had warned against any attempts to forcefully remove him from office, stating that such efforts would be resisted.
