Rivers: “Why I Won’t Vacate Ikwerre LG Secretariat” — Nwanosike

In a defiant stance, former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, has announced he will not vacate the council secretariat despite his tenure ending on Monday. Nwanosike declared he will stay put until the Appeal Court issues its ruling on the status of 25 State House of Assembly members on Thursday.

Nwanosike is one of three former LGA chairmen resisting vacating their offices after their tenures ended on June 17, 2024. They base their defiance on a decision by a House of Assembly faction led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, which extended their tenure by six months.

On Tuesday morning, Nwanosike and his supporters occupied the main entrance of the council secretariat, pledging to remain until the court decision is delivered.

Addressing journalists, Nwanosike accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, of orchestrating attacks on local government secretariats across the state to loot public properties.

“These people, led by the governor’s Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, are breaking into local government secretariats, looting council properties, and claiming Governor Fubara champions democracy,” Nwanosike alleged. He called on the President to uphold the Nigerian constitution amidst the ongoing crisis.

Nwanosike claimed that the governor has instigated widespread insecurity, hiring gunmen to attack local government officials and police officers. “Sponsored by the governor and Edison Ehie. It is a shame. We will sit at this council gate to wait for the decision of the Court of Appeal that says status quo should be maintained,” he stated.