Youths in Rivers protest chairmen removal after tenure expiration

Some youths in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers state on Monday took over the council headquarters, to protest the removal of the chairman following tenure expiration.

The youths, occupied the council secretariat early on Monday and locked the entrance

This was even as LG chairmen in the state under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria have vowed to remain in office, citing the LG Amendment Law by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 House of Assembly members empowering them to extend their tenure by six months.

Meanwhile, state ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who is the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, insisted that the law by the House of Assembly empowers them to remain in office.

Recall that the law by the lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, empowers the council chairmen to remain in office over the alleged failure of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to conduct local government elections.

Fubara, had earlier, warned the LG chairmen not to do anything that would truncate the peace of the state, stressing that they had a few days to leave office.

Amaewhule, at a news briefing last week, warned the governor against setting up caretaker committees to fill vacant positions in the 23 LGs of the state, saying the lawmakers would not accept such a move.

The council chairmen who were elected during the tenure of Wike as governor have been having a running battle with Fubara following the disagreement between the two political leadership

The youth who were seen singing war songs appeared battle-ready as they insisted that they would not allow the LG chairmen to remain in office after serving out their tenure, saying they would remain there to ensure the outgoing LG chairman does not return to the council.

The youth said they would remain until Wednesday when work resumes and dared the council chairmen to come to the secretariat.Related News

Meanwhile, the outgoing chairman of Eleme LG, Obarilomate Ollor, has warned those eager to throw him out of office not to come close to the council, saying they will be resisted.