THE Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara has inaugurated 23 new caretaker chairpersons for the state’s 23 local government areas.
The swearing-in ceremony took place today at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, amid heightened security measures.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Council Chambers, where the first group of 11 caretaker chairpersons took their oaths of office.
This event is coming a day after the submission of the list to the state House of Assembly, headed by factional Speaker Victor Jumbo.
The lawmakers had summoned the nominees for screening early this morning.
Below are the names of the caretaker chairpersons appointed by Governor Fubara:
1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson
2. Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth
3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green
4. Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs
5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan
6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree
7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua
8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon
9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa
10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji
11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri
12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden
13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji
14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
21. Oyigbo LGA – Gogo Philip
22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
23. Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
This development adds to the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, highlighting the disagreement over the tenure extension of local government officials.
While Governor Fubara did not approve the Local Government Amendment Bill, the lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, overrode his decision.
Although a court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal, tensions continue to rise, leading to conflicting perspectives among council chairpersons and councillors.
In the wake of the disagreement over the tenure elongation of the local chairpersons and councillors, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru local government councils both called for peace after youths barricaded the secretariats on Monday.
They insist that their tenure was duly extended by the Amaewhule-led assembly.
Despite calls for peace by some local government officials, demonstrations and solidarity gestures persist, with police authorities warning against disturbances and emphasizing the need for law and order in the state.
