JUST IN: Fubara Swears In Rivers Caretaker Committee Chairmen

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has commenced the swearing-in of new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state. The ceremony is taking place at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, under tight security.

The first batch of 11 caretaker committee (CTC) chairmen are taking their oaths of office today, as reported by Channels Television. This follows Fubara’s submission of the nominee list to the state House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker Victor Jumbo, just a day prior.

Lawmakers had invited the nominees for screening early Wednesday morning. Below are the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Fubara:

Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson

Ahoada East LGA – 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 – Brain Gokpa

Emouha LGA – David Omereji

Etche LGA – John Otamiri

Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden

Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji

Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana

Obia/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 – Matthew Dike

This development is the latest twist in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, which began months ago when the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law. Although Governor Fubara did not assent to the bill, the assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, overrode his veto. The law allows the assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors if elections cannot be held before the end of their three-year tenure. A court subsequently nullified the amended law, and an appeal is set to be heard on June 20, 2024.

In response to the tenure dispute, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils called for peace after youths barricaded their secretariats. They maintain that their tenure was lawfully extended by the assembly.

On Tuesday, Ijaw youth groups demonstrated their support for Fubara’s directive by gathering outside the Port Harcourt Local Government Area Secretariat. The youths sang, danced, and displayed solidarity messages amid heavy security.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned against any attempts to disturb the peace. He assured residents of the state’s commitment to maintaining order and appealed to politicians and their supporters to cease hostilities pending the court’s ruling. The police have declared their readiness to act against any attempts to incite trouble in the state.