Rivers Crisis: LG Chairmen Defy Fubara, Vow to Stay in Office Beyond Tenure Expiration

Local Government Area Chairmen in Rivers State are standing firm against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, pledging to remain in office even after their tenure officially ends.

Under the banner of the Association Of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter, the 21 LGA chairmen voiced support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) call for the Rivers State House of Assembly to expedite impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. They argue that this action is crucial to uphold democracy and the rule of law in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt, Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, condemned Governor Fubara’s refusal to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC), which is essential for allocating funds between the state and LGAs. Ihunda criticized the governor’s “executive rascality” for withholding LGA allocations since April, describing it as illegal and a threat to democracy.

Ihunda highlighted Governor Fubara’s alleged attempt to bypass democratically elected local government chairmen by directly paying salaries to civil servants, excluding political office holders. He accused the governor of undermining the constitutional guarantee of local government autonomy.

In response to Fubara’s actions, ALGON called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to rein in the governor’s excesses and ensure the survival of democratic institutions in the state. They also appealed to the Federal Government, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to intervene and prevent a breakdown of governance and law and order in Rivers State.

Legal Adviser of ALGON, Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, emphasized that the democratically elected chairmen would not vacate office at the end of their tenure. He cited a provision in the local government law that allows them to stay in office for an additional six months in the absence of elections. Awoto criticized the state government for neglecting to conduct local government elections and warned against any attempt to forcibly remove them from office, calling it an invitation to anarchy.

The resolve of the LG chairmen sets the stage for a potential standoff between local government authorities and the state government, further escalating the political crisis in Rivers State.