By Abiola Olawale
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Bala Mustapha, has issued an order for the immediate reopening of the administrative offices of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.
A press statement released on Monday by the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko revealed that the directive followed an initial order issued by the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The statement reads in part: “This decision aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to maintaining neutrality and ensuring the smooth operation of democratic institutions.”
The New Diplomat reports the police personnel were initially deployed to seal and safeguard the LGA secretariats followingctension that erupted in Rivers State earlier this year.
The directive follows the political tension that erupted after the purported extension of tenure for former council chairmen believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara in a counter move appointed caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen, a development which reportedly prompted the IGP to order the sealing of the secretariats.
This action was said to have prevented local government workers and the CTC chairmen from accessing the council secretariats and carrying out their daily duties.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had conducted local government elections across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Fubara, on Sunday sworn in the newly elected Chairmen.
The newly sworn-in 23 council chairmen are expected to resume work in their respective LGAs today, where they will also swear in the newly elected councillors.
