Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara has directed heads of administration in the 23 Local Government Areas to take charge of the councils with effect from Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
This follows the expiration of the tenure of elected chairmen, their deputies, and councilors who were mostly loyal to former governor and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Fubara gave the directive in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday morning.
The broadcast was captured in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
The governor said, “I wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the law.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Rivers State, I thank you all for your sacrifices and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State.
“I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.
“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. ”
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It will be recalled that members of the House of Assembly whose seats were recently declared vacant by the State High Court following their defection from PDP to APC had vetoed the Governor in amendment of the LG law to extend the tenure of the former council officials by six months.
The Court in declaring the seats of the embattled lawmakers vacant also ruled that all laws and resolutions they made after defecting to APC are null, void and not binding on the State Government.
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