Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sworn in 23 Local Government Council Caretaker Committee Chairmen following their successful screening by the State House of Assembly. This move was necessitated by the expiration of the tenure of the former elected council chairmen on Monday, 17th June 2024.
The former council chairmen, elected during Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, completed their three-year tenure, leading Governor Fubara to appoint caretaker committees to ensure no governance vacuum in the state’s local governments.
The newly appointed chairmen are tasked with implementing Governor Fubara’s vision for Rivers State, particularly addressing the alleged issues left by the previous administration.
The newly appointed caretaker chairmen are listed below:
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
15) Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
16) Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
17) Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
18) Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
19) Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
20) Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
21) Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
22) Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip
23) Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
24) Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has been commended for his commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles, allowing the former council chairmen to complete their tenure despite reported provocations.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, opposition federal lawmakers, under the aegis of G-60, hailed the Rivers State governor for his commitment to the rule of law.
“The people of the state and Nigerians in general cannot forget in a hurry how [pro-Wike Assemblymen] dared the governor almost on a daily basis since he took over,” read part of the statement.
“However, being a man of peace who is an apostle of rule of law and democratic ethos, Fubara patiently allowed them to finish their tenure and on Monday, June 17, the law had taken its course and they are off the stage and cannot continue with their servitude.”
They added: “We therefore congratulate Governor Fubara, Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo and the Rivers State House of Assembly for the emergence of Local Government Councils Caretaker Committees after the expiration of tenure of the former elected councils chairmen on Monday, the 17th day of June, 2024.
“Indeed, Governor Fubara’s commitment to rule of law and democratic principles is unequalled in the history of the state and Nigeria since 1999 when the military handed over power to civilians birthing the Fourth Republic. Whereas some governors, even in Rivers beginning with his predecessors remove local government chairmen as soon as they take over the reign of power, his was a difference.
“Fubara allowed those chairmen who he inherited from Wike even when their loyalty was not to him but to their master who put them in office, the governor allowed them be in office till the end of their tenure on Monday, 17th June, 2024. This has put Fubara on the rightful path of posterity and Nigerian democratic turf.
“Again, for the newly appointed Caretaker Committees, we urge you to give unalloyed support and unwavering loyalty to Governor Fubara and the Oko-Jumbo- led Rivers State House of Assembly for the peace, stability and progress of the treasure base of Nigeria.”
