River State Governor, Sim Fubara has sworn-in Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony which comes two days after the expiration of the tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councilors in the state, Governor Fubara says his action is in defence of democracy, stressing that his administration will not help lay the foundation of a wrong precedence where tenure elongation becomes the norm in the country.
He adds that a timetable for the conduct of local government elections will be rolled out in the next couple of days after former elected chairmen had earlier refused to vacate their offices, vowing to resist any attempt to make them leave.
The former chairmen claim that there is a law that permits them to stay beyond the constitution permits. That controversial law was passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers loyal to the immediate past Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
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But the High Court has nullified the controversial law extending the tenure of local government chairmen. The court ruled that the law is inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution, which has fixed the tenure of elected local government chairmen at three years.
Governor Fubara warns the new Caretaker Chairmen not to get too cosy as they only have a short time to spend in office. He also wants them to avoid confrontations and do everything possible to maintain peace in their local government areas.
While directing the new Caretaker Committee Chairmen to pay the former chairmen their entitlements, Governor Fubara says the books of the 23 local government areas in the last three years will be scrutinised. He immediately directed the State Auditor-General to audit accounts of the 23 LGAs in last three years and submit the report within one month.
Governor Sim Fubara further used the occasion to again call on the people of Rivers State to continue to be peaceful and law abiding.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
