PeakNews Online
Port Harcourt, June 18, 2024 – Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has nominated caretaker chairmen for the state’s 23 local government areas, sending the list to the state House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker Victor Jumbo, on Tuesday.
The nominations come amid a renewed political crisis, with former council chairmen refusing to vacate their offices after their tenure expired. Governor Fubara’s communication to the assembly was detailed in a statement issued on Tuesday night by the Clerk of the House, G.M. Gillis-West.
The statement confirmed that the assembly has invited the nominees for a screening session scheduled for Wednesday at 8 a.m.
The political turmoil intensified on Tuesday as youths loyal to Fubara dislodged chairmen who had refused to leave their offices. This unrest resulted in the death of a policeman during a clash at the Eberi-Omuma secretariat in Omuma Local Government Area between supporters of Fubara and those of his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
To prevent further escalation, the police announced on Tuesday evening that they had taken over the 23 council secretariats.
The tenure of the previous chairmen expired on Monday. However, they vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law 2024, enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
See the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by Fubara 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
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
