Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has inaugurated new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state, amidst a political crisis that has seen former council chairmen refuse to vacate their offices after their tenure expired.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House in Port Harcourt, with tight security in place. The first batch of eleven caretaker chairmen took their oath of office, followed by other batches.
The nominees were screened and confirmed by the state House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, earlier on Wednesday. Governor Fubara had forwarded the list of nominees to the House on Tuesday.
The new caretaker chairmen are:
1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson
2. Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth
3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green
4. Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs
5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan
6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree
7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua
8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon
9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa
10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji
11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri
12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden
13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji
14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
21. Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip
22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
23. Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
As chairmen who refused to vacate their offices were overthrown by protesting youths loyal to Fubara on Tuesday, the state’s problem got worse.
At the Eberi-Omuma secretariat in Omuma Local Government Area, a policeman lost his life in a fight between supporters of Fubara and those of Nyesom Wike, the former minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
It was declared by the police on Tuesday night that they had taken control of the 23 council secretariats in order to stop any more breakdown of civil order.
