…As Gov. Fubara swears in 23 CTC Chairmen
…Rivers Gov orders account audit of past chairmen
By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The two parties in Rivers State have accused one another of anti-democratic antics, and inciting unrest in the state.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticised the Rivers State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tony Okocha, over what it terms as a dangerous attempt to destabilise the state’s democratic process.
In a press statement issued by Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP on Wednesday, the party accused Okocha of indulging in “hallucinating” and “reckless” assertions aimed at overturning the legitimate will of the people.
According to the PDP, Okocha’s recent remarks at a press conference suggested that the APC was plotting to undermine the outcome of the governorship election in Rivers State, which saw the election of Governor Siminalayi Fubara under the PDP banner.
The statement condemned Okocha’s use of provocative language, including the mention of “war,” as indicative of sinister intentions to disrupt the peace and democratic order in the state.
The PDP further alleged that the APC’s agenda in Rivers State involved inciting crisis and attempting to impose an undemocratic regime, in clear violation of constitutional provisions safeguarding democratic governance. Emphasising Rivers State’s historical support for the PDP, the party asserted that any attempt by the APC to forcefully seize control had already failed.
The statement reads partly, “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) @OfficialPDPNig has been drawn to yet another hallucinating press conference by the Rivers State Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), @OfficialAPCNg Tony Okocha wherein he again fantasized that the WILL of the people of Rivers State as expressed in the governorship election which produced Governor Siminalayi Fubara can be upturned by the imagination of the APC.
“This reckless outburst by Tony Okocha further exposes the sinister plot by the APC in Rivers State which has been seeking for ways to instigate crisis, forcefully overthrow a democratic Order and impose an anti-democratic regime in Rivers State in clear violation of Section 1 sub-section 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The use of the word “war” by Mr. Okocha in his thoughtless statement clearly shows an evil intention which has been firmly resisted and will continue to be resisted by the people of Rivers State.
“The APC in Rivers State should note that its malevolent scheme to instigate crisis and forcefully take over the State has failed. Rivers State is a stronghold of the PDP and the people are solidly behind the Government of the PDP in the State.”
The statement called upon both the Federal Government and the national leadership of the APC to intervene promptly, urging restraint on Okocha’s part to prevent further escalation of tensions. The PDP demanded immediate action from the Inspector General of Police to hold Okocha accountable for his statements, which it described as a threat to national security and democratic stability.
The PDP urged the people of Rivers State to remain calm and united in support of their elected government, vowing to continue delivering on democratic promises for the benefit of all residents.
“The PDP for the umpteenth time warns the APC to perish the thought of forcefully taking over Rivers State as its attempts to undermine the WILL of the people will always come to naught.
“The PDP charges the people of Rivers State to remain calm and continue to work together in their solidarity with the PDP administration in the delivery of democracy dividends in the State,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara as being the architect of the crisis it described as a war ravaging the state.
Speaking on Wednesday, Tony Okocha, the caretaker committee chairman of the APC in Rivers, said the war is not just looming but is already on hand. He said young men with guns from the creeks have entered Port Harcourt and that there is a full threat.
The caretaker Chairman also called for a state of emergency declaration.
The Chairman said he noticed strange movements at a hospital where he said he went to take treatment, and that security reports getting to him showed black vehicles were moving about in his area.
“I had to escape from the hospital,” he said.
Okocha however said a hero like him would not run away from the battlefield, saying he would stand to do his work.
Accusing Fubara of being the cause of the troubles, Okocha said by refusing to conduct local council elections before now, it has created a vacuum and invited mayhem. He said no local council chairman was unwilling to vacate office but that the failure to conduct the elections made the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) domesticate a national law that empowered the National Assembly to extend the tenure of Mr President for an initial six months.
Okocha, who had earlier called for the impeachment of the governor, said the stage of the crisis is advanced and that only a state of emergency would solve the problem.
He wondered why the governor did not want to conduct elections using the political crisis as an excuse whereas, as he put it, the same governor and his people went around the state for Thanksgiving without trouble.
He wondered why the governor was in a hurry to install new caretaker committees in the 23 LGAs whereas the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal were set to make declarations on such matters. “Maybe he wants the expected decisions to be rendered useless.”
Okocha also refuted claims by former governor and former minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, that 84% of Nigerians do not like the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government.
Okocha said Amaechi must provide the statistics of the study that gave him such a result, or Nigerians must regard it as his personal opinion.
He said Rivers people and Nigerians stand solidly behind Tinubu and that an APC caucus meeting in Calabar just affirmed it, saying Tinubu was free to even contest the 2027 election.
In other developments, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has sworn-in caretaker committee chairmen and members for the 23 local government councils with a charge to eschew violence, maintain the peace, and be guided by the Constitution, so as to promote unity, inclusive administration, and achieve progress at the grassroots.
Governor Fubara, also directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to commence immediate audit of the accounts of the 23 Councils.
He said that the swearing-in of the chairmen will ensure seamless administration of local governments following the expiration of tenure of elected chairmen and councillors in the State.
The Governor performed the swearing-in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, amid cheers, jubilations and commendations as the right step to douse the tension and bring everybody in the political space together.
The swearing-in followed the successful screening and confirmation of the nominees for caretaker committee chairmen and members by the State House of Assembly at the plenary presided over by its Speaker, Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, on Wednesday.
The list of seven-member nominees per local government 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.
The Governor said the exercise demonstrated his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that does not provide for tenure elongation.
”What is happening here now is a 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 of tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it becomes a norm in Nigeria.
“So, we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our own watch will it happen because it is completely alien to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Governor said.
Governor Fubara said he wonders why tenure of elected officers will expire, and they want to perpetuate themselves in office against their oath of office and the provisions of Constitution of Nigeria.
The Governor sounded it clearly that such insistence to elongate tenure of council chairmen will not happen in Rivers State, and advised the out-gone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return home.
“So, for those people who are saying, the only reason why we (they) want to continue in office is because election has not been conducted, we have more than 85 percent of the States in Nigeria that are being run by caretaker committees.
“Ours is different, you had your tenure, you have completed your tenure, it is proper you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. If you are not there again, that is, if your tenure has expired, doesn’t mean I should, because I want to please you, allow you to stay longer. No. It doesn’t happen like that. People must take over, manage the affairs and elections will be conducted,” he said.
He pointed to the importance of knowing how finances of the 23 Local Government Councils were managed in the last three years, and directed the Auditor-General of Local Governments to begin auditing the accounts and make the report available within the next one month.
“I also want to say that, for the local government activities in the past three years, I would want to mandate: which is official assignment, not even a statutory duty, that the Auditor-General should immediately commence the audit of the 23 Local Government 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 being used in those 23 Local Government Areas. 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 will not be too long because the process for the conduct of fresh elections of local government chairmen and councillors in our State has started.
He advised them to resume at their respective local government councils with 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, insisting that such is not in his nature and style but advised them to be law-abiding as they take full control of the local government councils.
“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 give them the opportunity to continue to make our State look bad in the comity of States.
“So, when you go back, if there is any situation, you should be law- abiding. I don’t want any confrontation. You can operate from anywhere for now. But the most important thing is that you have the control of the Local Government today.”
Governor Fubara urged them to ensure that they compute and pay the outstanding financial benefits and entitlements, including salaries of the outgone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors.
He instructed the CTC chairmen to work hard to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in their various council areas.
However, he expressed worry about the negative media portrayal of the State as ridden with crisis, and urged them to ensure that what they do changes such negative narrative.
The sworn-in officers include: Madigai Dickson as chairman of Abua/Odual; while Hon. Happy Benneth is chairman of Ahoada East; Ahoada West has Mr. Daddy John Green as chairman; just as Barrister Otonye Briggs chairs Akuku-Toru; with Andoni chaired by Barrister Reginald Ekaan; and Asari-Toru, chaired by Orolosoma Amachree.
In Bonny, Alabota Anengi Barasua returned as chairperson; while in Degema, Anthony Soberekon is the chairman; with Eleme having Brain Gokpa as chairman, just as David Omereji is the chairman of Emohua; while John Otamiri Nkugbo is the chairman of Etche.
Also, Gokana has Êenneth Kpeden as chairman; Ikwerre has Dr. Darlington Orji; Khana has Amb. Marvin Yobana; Obio/Akpor has Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni has Princewill Ejekwe as chairman; Ogu/Bolo is chaired by Rt. Hon. Evans B. Biñé; Okrika is chaired by Princess I. B. Ogan; Omuma chairman is Promise Reginald; Ïñïâï/Íêoro chairman, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam returns; while Oyigbo has Hon. Gogo Phillip as chairman; with Ichemati Ezebunwo in charge of Port Harcourt City; just as Hon. Matthew Dike is the CTC chairman of Tai.