In a statewide broadcast on Tuesday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State instructed Heads of Local Government Administration to assume leadership of the 23 council areas.
This move follows the expiration of the three-year tenure of elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.
The governor directed the HLGAs to take charge with “renewed vigour and readiness” and await further directives.
This development comes as the state navigates a transition in local government leadership.
The outgoing officials’ terms have ended, and the HLGAs are now responsible for overseeing the councils until further notice.
The governor’s directive aims to ensure continuity in governance and maintain stability in the state’s local government administration.
The governor said, “Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the councils with renewed vigour and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together.
“As we move forward in making sure that the constitution is upheld, and that law and order are maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct heads HLGAs to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas.”
Recall that youths took over secretariats in Degema and Asari-Toru councils on Monday, demanding the exit of chairmen and officials.
There were reports that the gates to the council Secretariats were also locked. Police also deployed patrol vans to maintain order.
The crisis stems from a court ruling recognizing a three-man House of Assembly, which quashed the tenure extension granted by the 27-member Assembly loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike.
Despite the ruling, the chairmen had insisted that they would remain in office for six more months.
Governor Fubara in response, insisted that the chairmen’s tenure expired on June 17.
