The Rivers State Security Council on Tuesday met, following disturbances arising from the expiration of the tenure of the chairmen of the 23 local government areas of the state.
There were reports of disturbances in some local government areas where youths were said to have invaded some council secretariats, resulting in violence in some cases.
Addressing the media at the end of the closed-door meeting, Governor Sim Fubara who had earlier directed the heads of local government administration to take charge of the affairs of the councils, says his administration will do whatever it takes to maintain peace, law and order, warning that he would not allow any individual or group to disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
The development comes a day after the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors in the 23 local government areas of the state.
The chairmen whose tenure constitutionally expired on Monday, June 17, are hell bent on staying longer in office.
They claim that there is a law that permits them to do so.
That controversial law was passed by the Martins Amaewhule, led 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
But the High Court in Rivers State has nullified the tenure extension for the local government chairmen, with the court ruling that the new law is inconsistent with the 1999 constitution, and Section 9 sub-section one of the Rivers State Law Number 5 of 2018, which fixed the tenure of local government chairmen at three years.
Governor Sim Fubara says he is aware of a plot to destabilise the state.
The Rivers State Governor is also calling on the people of the state to shun all acts of violence, and go about their lawful businesses peacefully.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
