Governor Fubara swears-in LG caretaker chairmen

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on Wednesday took a bold step forward in consolidating a hold on power in the state by swearing in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.

The swearing-in was done on Wednesday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital amid tight security.

The swearing-in comes a day after he forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo.

It will be recalled that the lawmakers had invited the nominees for screening as early as 8am on Wednesday.

The swearing in of caretaker chairmen adds another twist to the political crisis in the state months after the Rivers Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill into law.

Though Fubara refused to assent to the bill, the lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule vetoed it.

The law empowered the Rivers State Assembly to extend the tenure of council chairpersons, their vice, and councillors where it is deemed impossible to hold elections before the end of their three-year tenure.

But a court nullified the amended law, prompting an appeal. The appeal court is set to deliver a ruling on the matter on June 20, 2024.