TENSION: WIKE’S MEN STORM SECRETARIAT TO STOP FUBARA’S TEAM AS GOVERNOR SWEARS-IN CARETAKER COMMITTEES

TENSION: WIKE’S MEN STORM SECRETARIAT TO STOP FUBARA’S TEAM AS GOVERNOR SWEARS-IN CARETAKER COMMITTEES

Tension gripped the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council (PHALGA) in Rivers State on Wednesday as youths aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike converged around the council premises in a bid to stop the caretaker team of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The development emerged amid a crisis over local government administration in Rivers State.

To ensure order, police presence was significantly increased around PHALGA and other local council areas in the state following reports of unrest.

Speaking to Channels Television, Maxwell Enwukwe, a former Council Executive and current coordinator of grassroots development initiatives in PHALGA, emphasized their dedication to maintaining peace and order.

He noted, “These are youths from Port Harcourt Local Government Council. We have come to ensure peace and order in our local government council because yesterday, we received information that some individuals gathered hoodlums to besiege the council even during a public holiday.”

Enwukwe further explained, “Today, we have come to see why that happened, but fortunately, the police have taken over the local government council premises, and everyone is here peacefully. These are supporters of grassroots development initiatives loyal to the Minister of FCT.”

Despite the heavy police presence, the crowd remained stationed at the PHALGA area, which is near the Rivers State Government House, reflecting the heightened tensions over the leadership dispute.

The crisis was sparked by the expiration of the local government chairmen’s tenure in Rivers State on Tuesday, leading to conflicting claims about a tenure extension by the State House of Assembly.

Governor Fubara has asserted that there was no official extension of tenure and has nominated caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils in the state.

Meanwhile, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sworn in the new Caretaker Chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.

The swearing-in was conducted by Governor Fubara at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

This follows their screening and confirmation by the State Assembly.

Governor Fubara had sent the names for screening and confirmation on Tuesday, following the expiration of the local government Chairmen’s tenure on June 17, 2024.

Below are the names confirmed by the Assembly:

Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson

Ahoada East LGA – Hon. Happy Benneth

Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green

Akuku Toru LGA – Otonye Briggs

Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan

Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree

Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua

Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon

Eleme LGA – Brian Gokpa

Emohua LGA – David Omereji

Etche LGA – John Otamiri

Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden

Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji

Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana

Obio/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo

Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe

Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi

Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan

Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald

Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam

Oyigbo LGA – Gogo Philip

Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo

Tai LGA – Hon. Matthew Dike