TENSION IN RIVERS AS ANGRY YOUTHS BLOCK SECRETARIAT, PRO-WIKE CHAIRMAN FLEES

TENSION IN RIVERS AS ANGRY YOUTHS BLOCK SECRETARIAT, PRO-WIKE CHAIRMAN FLEES

Youths in Rivers State have closed down operations at the Asari Toru Local Government Secretariat, demanding the ouster of their Chairman.

This development unfolds amid a tense standoff between Local Government Area (LGA) chairpersons and Governor Sim Fubara.

The Chairman, whose term concludes today, reportedly fled his office as residents stormed the secretariat.

The incident is linked to an ongoing legal dispute between the LGA chairpersons and the state government, currently under judicial review, with the next hearing scheduled post-tenure.

Security personnel have been deployed to uphold order at the council secretariat.

Earlier, LGA chairpersons aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike had vowed not to vacate office in June.

According to Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, Legal Adviser to the 21 LGA chairpersons and Chairman of Andoni LGA, the Chairpersons intend to extend their tenure by an additional six months.

Awoto affirmed, “We were elected in 2021, and our term ends in June. However, local government elections were expected to have concluded by now, with winners awaiting inauguration.”Given the Assembly’s acknowledgment of the delayed electoral process, we advocate maintaining democratically elected Chairpersons until elections are conducted, in accordance with local government law.”