Governor Siminanayi Fubara of Rivers State has directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the 23 local government areas in the state. This follows the expiration of the three-year tenure of the immediate past local government chairmen on June 17, 2024.
In a statewide broadcast, Governor Fubara commended the outgone chairmen for their dedicated service and wished them well in their future endeavors. He urged the HLGAs to provide leadership in their respective local government areas with renewed vigor and readiness to serve, pending further directives.
The governor’s directive comes amid tension in some local government secretariats, where groups have taken over and warned the outgoing chairmen not to return to the councils. The affected council chairmen have refused to vacate office, citing a law proclaimed by the Pro-Wike lawmakers, which extended their tenure for six months.
The Rivers House of Assembly faction led by Martins Amaehwule had amended the Local Government Administration Act to extend the tenure of the chairmen, but Governor Fubara failed to assent to the bill. The lawmakers subsequently overrode his veto and passed it into law.
