To avoid bloodbath in some of the local government areas of Rivers State, where the immediate past chairmen have refused to quit, the newly inaugurated caretaker committee chairmen have been told to operate from any part of the state.
This is even as the governor, Sim Fubara has hinted of plans to conduct local government elections anytime soon. While inaugurating the chairmen, Fubara did not, however, say exactly when the election will hold.
The inauguration came about 24 hours after the governor had ordered heads of local government administration in the 23 local governments to take over the affairs of the various councils. Incidentally, the directive came on a public holiday, making it difficult for them to function for even an hour.
Those sworn-in include Madigai Dickson as chairman of Abua/Odual; while Hon. Happy Benneth is chairman of Ahoada East; Ahoada West has Mr. Daddy John Green as chairman; just as Barrister Otonye Briggs chairs Akuku-Toru; with Andoni chaired by Barrister Reginald Ekaan; and Asari-Toru, chaired by Orolosoma Amachree.
In Bonny, Alabota Anengi Barasua returned as chairperson; while in Degema, Anthony Soberekon is the chairman; with Eleme having Brain Gokpa as chairman, just as David Omereji is the chairman of Emohua; while John Otamiri Nkugbo is the chairman of Etche.
Also, Gokana has Κεnneth Kpeden as chairman; Ikwerre has Dr. Darlington Orji; Khana has Amb. Marvin Yobana; Obio/Akpor has Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni has Princewill Ejekwe as chairman; Ogu/Bolo is chaired by Rt. Hon. Evans B. Biρι; Okrika is chaired by Princess I. B. Ogan; Omuma chairman is Promise Reginald; Οροβο/Νκoro chairman, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam returns; while Oyigbo has Hon. Gogo Phillip as chairman; with Ichemati Ezebunwo in charge of Port Harcourt City; just as Hon. Matthew Dike is the CTC chairman of Tai.
Fubara who is apparently trying to avoid any form of confrontation with those loyal to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, who are opposed to the coming on board of the CTC chairmen, said “what is happening here now is a defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country.
“It is not about Rivers State. It is not about Fubara. But if in any way this attempt of tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria.
“So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our own watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He wondered why tenure of elected officers will expire, and they want to perpetuate themselves in office against their oath of office and the provisions of Constitution of Nigeria.
The governor sounded it clearly that such insistence to elongate tenure of council chairmen will not happen in Rivers State, and advised the out-gone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return home.
He said: “So, for those people who are saying, the only reason why we (they) want to continue in office is because election has not be conducted, we have more than 85 percent of the States in Nigeria that are being run by caretaker committees.
“Ours is different, you had your tenure, you have completed your tenure, it is proper you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, doesn’t mean I should, because I want to please you, allow you to stay longer. No. It doesn’t happen like that. People must take over, manage the affairs and elections will be conducted.”
He also ordered a thorough probe of the activities of the immediate past chairmen. “I also want to say that, for the local government activities in the past three years, I would want to mandate: which is official assignment, not even a statutory duty, that the Auditor-General should immediately commence the audit of the 23 Local Government Councils in the past three years, and come up with the result in the next one month.
“It is important so that we will know what has happened and how our funds were being used in those 23 Local Government Areas. It is important so that it will be a check for those people who are also coming.”
Fubara told the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen that their tenure will not be too long because the process for the conduct of fresh elections of local government chairmen and councillors in the state has started.
He warned them against any form of confrontation, insisting that such is not in his nature and style but advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the local government councils.
He said: “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some persons caused it. So, let us not give them the opportunity to continue to make our State look bad in the comity of States.
“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law- abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the Local Government today.”
He added: “I am not of the class to say that because something happened, you should maltreat them. No. Whatever is their entitlement, ensure that they get it.”
Fubara instructed the CTC chairmen to work hard to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in their various council areas and expressed worry about the negative media portrayal of the State as ridden with crisis, and urged them to ensure that what they do changes such negative narrative.
“Please, I want to appeal to you that when you go back, I don’t want crisis. Just manage the situation as much as you can. God does not start and end half-way. That is the truth. Since God has started with us, He will definitely complete His work in our lives.
“I don’t want any fight. I don’t want any life to be lost because it does not earn me anything. We know that we can overcome, and we have been overcoming,” he advised the chairmen.
