Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defended this week’s decision on the state’s local governments by saying Nigeria’s constitution has no provision for tenure elongation.
He stated this at the end of a security council meeting in Port Harcourt with heads of security agencies.
The meeting was called because of the threat to the peace of the state brewing from the tenure expiration of local government council chairmen.
“We will fearlessly lead the way to ensure peace continues to prevail in the state while protecting all patriotic supporters for their stand on the path of truth,” Governor Fubara said.
“The law on local government tenure is unambiguous. The court clearly affirmed the position of the law.
“The law is the law, there is no extension of the local government tenure in it. The court says so.”
On Tuesday, Governor Fubara directed the heads of administration in Rivers’ 23 local government areas to take over from the elected council chairmen whose three-year tenure elapsed on Monday.
There was chaos after the announcement, with supporters of the outgone chairmen protesting against the governor’s decision while the governor’s supporters came out to give their approval.
The police confirmed that the two people were killed in Omuma LGA during a clash between the political camps.
Rivers State has been embroiled in controversy over the reported supremacy battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The outgone local government chairpersons are believed to be loyal to Wike, now Nigeria’s FCT minister.
