Fubara orders audit of councils’ funds, advocates peace

• Tasks newly sworn-in caretaker chairmen to eschew violence 
• Says Rivers won’t set precedent on council tenure extension
• Asks council bosses to pay entitlements of predecessors
• APC’s call for state of emergency baseless, says state govt
• Don’t disrupt peace, PDP warns former council chairmen
• IGP condemns killing of security personnel, deploys special team
 

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday, urged the newly sworn-in caretaker committee chairmen (CTC) and members of the 23 local councils to eschew violence, uphold peace, and toe the path of constitutionality.
    
He said this would promote unity, inclusive administration, and achieve progress at the grassroots.
   
The governor described the swearing-in as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets of the Nigerian constitution, which, he said, has no provision for tenure elongation.
   
He gave the charge at Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after swearing in the chairmen.  
   
Recall that Rivers had been engulfed in a political crisis over tenure elongation for former council chairmen, a development, which led to the police sealing all council secretariats in the state.
The swearing-in followed Wednesday’s screening and confirmation of nominees for the positions of CTC chairmen and members by the State House of Assembly at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
   
A list of seven-member nominees per local council had been forwarded to the Assembly pursuant to Section 9 (5) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, for screening and confirmation.
   
Fubara explained: “What is happening here now is in defence of democracy. We will not allow the wrong precedent to be created in this country. It is not about Rivers State. It is not about Fubara. But if in any way this attempt at tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria. So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our watch will it happen, because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
     
The governor wondered why the tenure of elected officers would expire, and they would want to perpetuate themselves in power, against their oath of office and the provisions of the constitution.
   
He said: “You had your tenure. You have completed your tenure. It is proper that you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, it doesn’t mean I should, because I want to please you, and allow you to stay longer. No. It doesn’t happen like that. People must take over, and manage the affairs, and elections will be conducted.”
    
Fubara added: “I also want to say that, for the local council activities in the past three years, I would want to mandate: which is an official assignment, not even a statutory duty, that the Auditor General immediately commence the audit of the 23 councils in the past three years, and come up with the result in the next one month.
   
“It is important so that we will know what has happened and how our funds were used in those 23 councils. It is important so that it will be a check for those people who are also coming.”
   
Governor Fubara told the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen that their tenure would not be too long because the process for the conduct of fresh elections had started. 
He advised them to resume at their respective councils with the utmost sense of duty and commitment to serve the people and protect the interest of Rivers State.
   
He warned them against any form of confrontation. Rather, they should be law-abiding as they take full control of the councils.
   
He added: “Whatever happened yesterday (Tuesday), I know, and the world knows that it is not from you people. Some persons caused it. So, let us not allow them to continue to make our state look bad in the comity of states.  
   
Fubara urged them to ensure they compute and pay the outstanding financial benefits and entitlements, including salaries, of the former chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors.
   
Relatedly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cautioned the immediate past Rivers State local council chairmen against any conduct that could disrupt the peace in the state.
   
The party, in a statement by National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, maintained that the three-year tenure of the chairmen expired under the relevant law establishing the Rivers State Local Government Council Administration.
It called on the people of the state to remain calm, law-abiding, and continue to work together for continued stability, peace, and the delivery of democracy dividends.
   
The CTC chairmen are: Abua/Odua – Madigai Dickson; Ahoada East – Happy Benneth; Ahoada West – Mr. Daddy John Green; Akuku Toru – Otonye Briggs; Andoni – Reginald Ekaan; Asari Toru – Orolosoma Amachree; Bonny – Alabota Anengi Barasua; Degema – Anthony Soberekon; Eleme – Brain Gokpa; Emouha  – David Omereji; Etche – John Otamiri; Gokana – Kenneth Kpeden; Ikwerre – Darlington Orji; Khana – Marvin Yobana; Obia/Akpor – Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni – Princewill Ejekwe; Ogu/Bolo – Evans Bipi; Okrika – Princess Ogan; Omuma – Promise Reginald; Opobo/Nkoro – Enyiada Cookey-Gam; Oyigbo – Gogo Philip; Port Harcourt – Ichemati Ezebunwo; and Tai – Matthew Dike.
    
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, described as baseless, call by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.
   
Johnson said a state of emergency is declared only when there is a war. He maintained: “Rivers State is moving on well and there is no breakdown of law and order.”
   
He explained that there has been no call for the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, where Boko Haram has been on the rampage for several years, and wondered why Rivers State “that is moving on well” should come under such measure.
   
The commissioner added: “The state has come to a stage where it will discontinuance the words of Okocha. The last time, he directed the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly to impeach the governor but where are they today? Such calls are baseless. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is doing well, and the state is moving on well. So, there’s no cause for alarm.”
   
Chief Tony Okocha, who is the Caretaker Committee Chairman (CTC) of the APC in the state, had, called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on Rivers State.
   
Speaking during a media briefing in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Okocha said the move was the only way to tame the upsurge in political crises in the state.
   
He said: “Rivers State is currently at war. The Local Government Law No. 2, 2024, has already outlawed the use of caretaker committee chairmen. So, if by tomorrow (today), Thursday, June 20, 2024, the court gives its ruling in favour of the chairmen, are we going to have two chairmen in each local council?”
   
But in a voice note sent to reporters in Port Harcourt, an APC chieftain, Darlington Nwauju, described Okocha’s call as unnecessary, illogical, and unpatriotic. 
    
In a related development, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the killing of security personnel during a clash by factions in the political crisis in Rivers States.
Consequently, the IGP deployed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a special squad, to restore order.
   
Police spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed the IGP’s displeasure, said the killing happened during a breakdown of law and order at various local council secretariats in the state, where supporters of the factions clashed over the tenure of council chairmen.
   
The slain personnel are Inspector David Mgbada, and Samuel Nwigwe, a vigilante member at Eberi-Omuma in Omuma Local Council. 
    
Adejobi said: “In response to these heinous acts, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, to heighten security measures across the state and institute thorough investigations into the killing of the police officer and the vigilante operative, as well as the general violence which erupted in the state. 
   
“The IGP specifically deployed operatives of the Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to assist the Rivers State Command in apprehending the killers. The IGP seriously warns individuals and groups of people who have a penchant for senseless attacks and mindless killings of police officers and other security operatives across the country to desist forthwith as the fullest force of the law will be meted on them.
   
“The CP has also been directed to focus on increased patrols, strategic deployment of officers, and enhanced intelligence operations to prevent further violence and ensure the safety of all residents. 
   
“The IGP extends heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased police officer and the vigilante member, noting that their dedication and sacrifice in the line of duty will not be taken for granted.”