The political crisis in Rivers State is nowhere nearing ending this is even as the Nigerian Police Force has barred the 23 Caretaker Committee Chairmen sworn in by Governor, Siminalayi Fubara from accessing the Councils secretariats.
Recall that the Rivers State Governor on Wednesday sworn in 23 Caretaker Chairmen to take over the 23 Local Government Councils in the State.
But responding to the police bar, the Governor stated that Caretaker Chairmen will operate from alternative secretariats.
The Governor was quoted to have said that after the swearing in the of 23 Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen on Wednesday . According to the Governor, the Caretaker Chairmen can operate from anywhere.
Recall that the Councils secretariats were barricaded with police patrol vans manned by armed policemen.
The State Police Command had on Tuesday announced that it had taken over all the LG Council Headquarters. This, it said is to forestall further bloodshed and to prevent a breakdown of law and order.”
Recall that a policeman and a member of a local security outfit were killed during a clash between supporters of the Governor and his predecessor. Fracas brought out at Eberi-Omuma in the Omuma Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday between the two warring factions.
Recall that the Governor Fubara and his predecessor Wike have been embroiled in poltical struggle since late last year.
The crisis snowballed into the bombing of the State House of Assembly last year. The House was factionalized. And the Governor survived an impeachment by Martin Amaewhule led 27 lawmakers. It was alleged that 27 lawmakers were loyal to the FCT Minister, Wike.
However, the crises worsened on Tuesday. The youths alleged to be loyal to the Governor dislodged some of the Chairmen loyal to Wike. This was after the expiration of their tenure.
The three-year tenure of the 23 elected Chairmen expired on Monday, June 17. But they had vowed to remain in office.
They are drawing their strength on the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 made by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
The law by the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Wike, empowers the Chairmen to remain in office for six months. This is due to the failure of the Fubara Government to conduct Local Government elections.
source: PUNCH
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