Why We Resisted Local Government Tenure Elongation In Rivers - Fubara Says

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State stated that he declined pressure to extend the tenure of the outgoing local government chairmen and councilors to prevent Rivers State from setting a negative precedent in the country.

The Governor, who spoke while inaugurating caretaker committee chairmen and members for the 23 local government councils at the Executive Council Chambers, Port Harcourt, said there was no way he would have allowed them to perpetuate themselves in office against their oaths.

Fubara charged the newly sworn-in local government caretaker committees to eschew violence, maintain the peace and be guided by the Constitution to promote unity, inclusive administration and achieve progress at the grassroots.

The Governor directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to commence the immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 councils.

He said that the swearing-in of the chairmen would ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of tenure of elected chairmen and councillors.

The Governor inaugurated the committee amid cheers, jubilations and commendations of his followers, who insisted it was the right step to douse the tension and bring everybody in the political space together.

The inauguration came after the screening and confirmation of the nominees by the Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers.

The list of seven-member nominees of each local government areas was earlier forwarded to the Assembly in line with Section 9 (5) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, for screening and confirmation.  

The Governor said the exercise demonstrated his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that did not provide for tenure elongation.

He said: “What is happening here now is a defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country.

“It is not about Rivers State. It is not about Fubara. But if in any way this attempt of tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria. 

“So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our own watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Fubara wondered why tenure of elected officers expired but they wanted to perpetuate themselves in office against their oaths and the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria.

The Governor maintained that such insistence to elongate tenure of council chairmen would not happen in Rivers State, and advised the outgone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return home.

He said: “So, for those people who are saying, the only reason why we (they) want to continue in office is because election has not be conducted, we have more than 85 percent of the States in Nigeria that are being run by caretaker committees.

“Ours is different, you had your tenure, you have completed your tenure, it is proper you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, doesn’t mean I should, because I want to please you, allow you to stay longer. No. It doesn’t happen like that. People must take over, manage the affairs and elections will be conducted.”

Fubara said it was important to know how finances of the 23 Local government councils were managed in the last three years, and directed the Auditor-General of Local Government to begin auditing the accounts and make the report available within the next one month.

Fubara said: “I also want to say that, for the local government activities in the past three years, I would want to mandate: which is official assignment, not even a statutory duty, that the Auditor-General should immediately commence the audit of the 23 Local Government Councils in the past three years, and come up with the result in the next one month.

“It is important so that we will know what has happened and how our funds were being used in those 23 Local Government Areas. It is important so that it will be a check for those people who are also coming.”

Fubara told the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen that their tenure would not be too long because the process for the conduct of fresh elections of local government chairmen and councillors in our state had started.

He advised them to resume at their respective local government councils with utmost sense of duty and commitment to serve the people and protect the interest of Rivers.

He warned them against any form of confrontation, insisting that such was not in his nature and advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the local government councils.

He said, “Whatever happened  yesterday (Tuesday), I know and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some persons caused it. So, let us not give them the opportunity to continue to make our State look bad in the comity of States.

“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law- abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the Local Government today.”

Those sworn-in are:  Madigai Dickson, Abua/Odual; Happy Benneth, Ahoada East; Ahoada West, Mr. Daddy John Green;  Otonye Briggs, Akuku-Toru; Andoni, Reginald Ekaan; and Asari-Toru, Orolosoma Amachree.

Bonny, Alabota Anengi Barasua returned as chairperson; Degema, Anthony Soberekon; Eleme, Brain Gokpa, David Omereji, Emohua; John Otamiri Nkugbo, Etche.

Others are Gokana, Κenneth Kpeden, chairman; Ikwerre, Dr. Darlington Orji; Khana, Amb. Marvin Yobana; Obio/Akpor Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Princewill Ejekwe; Ogu/Bolo, Evans B. Biρι; Okrika, Princess I. B. Ogan; Omuma, Promise Reginald; Opobo/Νκoro, Enyiada Cookey-Gam; Oyigbo, Gogo Phillip, Ichemati Ezebunwo, Port Harcourt City; Matthew Dike, Tai.