A fresh crisis is brewing in Rivers State over the tenure of the 23 council chairmen. Tensions have heightened as Niger Delta leader and former militant warlord, Muhajid Asari Dokubo, has publicly urged the local government chairmen to acknowledge the end of their three-year tenure and “go home quietly.”
The situation is compounded by the stance of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who, backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, instructed the council chairmen to step down at the end of their term. Despite these directives, the council chairmen have refused to vacate their positions, asserting that the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has extended their tenure.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly reportedly modified the law to extend the terms of the local government chairmen by six months, citing Governor Fubara’s alleged failure to conduct local government elections as the reason for this extension. This legislative action has sparked significant controversy and debate within the state.
Speaking at the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Port Harcourt, Asari Dokubo emphasized that extending the chairmen’s tenure contravenes the Nigerian Constitution. He argued that the former chairmen cannot unilaterally prolong their time in office and expect such actions to be constitutionally accepted.
Asari Dokubo, who is also recognized as the Edi Abali of Kalabari land, issued a stern warning to the former chairmen, cautioning them against inciting the anger of what he described as the “people’s power.” He suggested that defying the end of their tenure could lead to significant repercussions.
He stated, “Local government tenure has expired today, June 17, 2024. They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the constitution, they should do so. But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution. Their position is tenure-bound, and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of the state. And I want to advise young people: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used.”
He further elaborated on the broader implications of this issue, saying, “Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time. The people of Rivers State are bigger than Muhajid Asari Dokubo. Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.”
Asari Dokubo highlighted the disparity in commitment between the political leaders and the general populace, pointing out that many political figures do not subject their own children to the same risks they impose on the youth. He remarked, “Most of us, their children are not here, and their children have never come out to stand in front of any protest. They’re not like Mandela and his children or me and my children or any other person. A lot of people have not done this. So, nobody should be allowed to be used.”
He noted that the public has taken matters into their own hands, reflecting a form of “people’s power.” He stated, “The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.”
Asari concluded by reiterating the determination of Rivers State residents to assert their constitutional rights. He emphasized that the people are prepared to maintain control of local government offices until new elections are conducted, signaling a firm stance against any attempts to unlawfully extend political tenures. “So, the people of Rivers State are exercising their power, and they are ready to take over until the government is ready to conduct a new election,” Asari concluded.
