Rivers Crisis: Governor Fubara Replaces Rivers Council Bosses With Interim Heads

Following the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors. Rivers state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume leadership of the 23 Council Areas.

The governor’s directive was given in a statewide broadcast today, Tuesday 18th June 2024.

In the broadcast, the governor said: “Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together;

Continuing he said, “As we move forward in making sure that the constitution is upheld, and that law and order are maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct heads HLGAs to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas".

It was reported that youths on Monday, took over secretariats in Degema and Asari-Toru councils, demanding the exit of chairmen and officials.

There were also reports that the gates to the council Secretariats were locked prompting Police to deploy patrol vans to maintain order in the areas

The crisis arose from a court ruling recognizing a three-man House of Assembly, which quashed the tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.

Despite the ruling, the chairmen had insisted that they would remain in office for six more months but Governor Fubara insisted that the chairmen’s tenure expired on June 17.

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