- Ex-Militants Back Fubara, Vow To use people’s Power to Kick Out Wike’s Men from Councils tonight
By Abiola Olawale
As the three-year tenure for elected local government chairmen of Rivers state comes to an end today Monday, June 17, 2024, an ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, and many other erstwhile militants have issued stern warning to the 23 Council chairmen in Rivers state to respect the will of the standing law and voice of the people by leaving their respective offices forthwith .
Dokubo, speaking on behalf of others warned the 23 local government chairmen to avoid causing havoc in the state, stressing that the people of Rivers State are ready to flush out anyone of them who stays in office beyond midnight of Monday, today.
He said despite arguments from the chairmen, they must leave office to avoid creating fundamental problems in the state.
Dokubo, who addressed the press in Port Harcourt, Rivers state on Monday also stressed the importance of adhering to provisions of the constitution which stipulate tenure limits in the Local Government Law of 2018 in order to maintain order and legality.
According to the erstwhile militant leader, the people of Rivers State are solidly behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of the state.
He added that the Rivers people are willing to take over council secretariats from tomorrow till the state government is ready to conduct the local government election.
In his words: “The young people must know that we don’t have any other state other than Rivers State. When we were growing up, there is this slogan that says, ‘Love Rivers or leave her alone, don’t run her down’.
“So, you should love Rivers State and you shouldn’t run it down. Only one man can be Governor of Rivers State at a time, we cannot have two governors.
“The people of Rivers State are bigger than Asari Dokubo, Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No individual can take the people of Rivers State for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.
“Local Government chairmen tenures has expired today, they should quietly go home. If they want to seek reelection in accordance to the constitution, they should go and seek reelection.
“But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution. These positions are tenure-bound and that tenure has expired. Let dem not cause unnecessary problem for the people of the state.”
The New Diplomat reports that a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had granted an order voiding the Local Government Law No.2 of 2024, which seeks tenure extension for local government chairmen in the state.
The court in its ruling had declared that Local Government Law No.2 of 2024, which extended the tenure of local government chairmen by six months, is inconsistent with the 1999 constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No. 5 of 2018 which fixed three year tenure for local government chairmen and councillors.
Recall that the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 was enacted by the lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The present chairmen and Councilors of the Local Government Councils in Rivers state have been in office since the administration of the former Governor of the state, Wike.
However, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State refused to assent to the proposed law. Following his refusal to do so, the lawmakers loyal to Wike decided to override the veto of the State Governor.
