Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced that the 23 local government councils in the state will operate from alternative secretariats following the sealing of their offices by the police on Tuesday. This decision was revealed after Fubara swore in the 23 local government caretaker committee chairmen on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, permitting them to function from any location.
Fubara’s directive came in response to the police preventing the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen from accessing their offices at all 23 local government headquarters. The secretariats were heavily guarded by police patrol vans and armed policemen, effectively barring entry.
The state police command had earlier taken control of all local government council headquarters to “forestall further bloodshed and prevent a breakdown of law and order.” This measure followed a violent clash on Tuesday at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Government Area, where a policeman and a member of a local security outfit were killed. The clash occurred between supporters of Governor Fubara and those of his predecessor, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.
The conflict between Fubara and Wike, ongoing since late last year, has resulted in significant disruptions, including the bombing of the state House of Assembly and an impeachment attempt against the governor by 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike. This rift escalated on Tuesday when youths supporting Fubara ousted some chairmen aligned with Wike after their tenure expired. The expired tenure, however, was contested by the chairmen, who cited the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly. This law allows them to remain in office for six additional months due to the governor’s failure to conduct local government elections.
After swearing in the caretaker committee chairmen, Governor Fubara urged them to avoid violence, maintain peace, and adhere to constitutional guidelines. He emphasized the need for an audit of the accounts of the 23 councils by the Auditor-General of Local Governments. The governor insisted that the newly appointed chairmen could operate from anywhere, reiterating the importance of ensuring seamless administration following the expiration of the previous chairmen’s tenure.
Addressing the chairmen, Fubara said, “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some people caused it. So, let us not allow them to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have control of the local governments today.”
He defended the appointment of the caretaker chairmen, stating, “What is happening here now is a defense of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country. If this attempt at tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria. We have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Fubara also highlighted the importance of accountability, directing an audit of the local government councils’ finances over the past three years. He urged the new chairmen to ensure the payment of outstanding financial benefits and entitlements, including salaries, to the immediate past chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors.
Simultaneously, the local government secretariats in various areas, including Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, and Ikwerre, remained under lock and key with police presence. Despite the shutdown, the caretaker chairmen asserted their control over council affairs, even from alternative locations. For instance, Dr. Darlington Orji, the caretaker chairman of Ikwerre LGA, confirmed his assumption of duties despite being unable to access the council premises due to the police barricade.
The police explained that the secretariats would remain shut to prevent further clashes and ensure the protection of lives and property. State Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, stressed the need for such measures, citing the recent violence and loss of lives.
Amid these tensions, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state called for a state of emergency, claiming that the governor and police were helpless amid what they described as a “war in the state.” However, this call was criticized by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, and Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, who saw no justifiable reason to involve the President in the crisis.
In response to the violence, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered a thorough investigation and heightened security measures across the state. He condemned the recent violence, urging for the apprehension of those responsible for the killings and the unrest.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accused the APC of plotting to destabilize the state and forcefully overthrow the democratic order. The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, criticized the APC’s call for a state of emergency, asserting that the people of Rivers State firmly support the PDP-led government.
This complex political situation underscores the volatility in Rivers State, with both major parties entrenched in a power struggle that has significant implications for governance and security.
