Afrigather RIVERS (Sundiata Submit) – Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State acknowledged that he declined strain to increase the tenure of the outgoing native authorities chairmen and councilors to stop Rivers State from setting a detrimental precedent within the nation.
The Governor, who spoke whereas inaugurating caretaker committee chairmen and members for the 23 native authorities councils on the Govt Council Chambers, Port Harcourt, mentioned there was no approach he would have allowed them to perpetuate themselves in workplace towards their oaths.
Fubara charged the newly sworn-in native authorities caretaker committees to eschew violence, preserve the peace and be guided by the Structure to advertise unity, inclusive administration and obtain progress on the grassroots.
The Governor directed the Auditor-Common of Native Governments to begin the instant audit of the accounts of the 23 councils.
He mentioned that the swearing-in of the chairmen would guarantee seamless administration of native governments following the expiration of tenure of elected chairmen and councillors.
The Governor inaugurated the committee amid cheers, jubilations and commendations of his followers, who insisted it was the correct step to douse the stress and convey all people within the political house collectively.
The inauguration got here after the screening and affirmation of the nominees by the Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers.
The checklist of seven-member nominees of every native authorities areas was earlier forwarded to the Meeting in step with Part 9 (5) of the Rivers State Native Authorities Regulation No. 5 of 2018, for screening and affirmation.
The Governor mentioned the train demonstrated his administration’s dedication to upholding the tenets of the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that didn’t present for tenure elongation.
He mentioned: “What is going on right here now could be a defence of democracy. We won’t permit the unsuitable precedent to be created on this nation.
“It’s not about Rivers State. It’s not about Fubara. But when in any approach this try of tenure elongation succeeds in Rivers State, it turns into a norm in Nigeria.
“So, now we have taken it upon ourselves to say, not on our personal watch will it occur as a result of it’s fully alien to the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Fubara puzzled why tenure of elected officers expired however they needed to perpetuate themselves in workplace towards their oaths and the provisions of the Structure of Nigeria.
The Governor maintained that such insistence to elongate tenure of council chairmen wouldn’t occur in Rivers State, and suggested the outgone chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors to let go and return residence.
He mentioned: “So, for these people who find themselves saying, the one purpose why we (they) wish to proceed in workplace is as a result of election has not be carried out, now we have greater than 85 p.c of the States in Nigeria which can be being run by caretaker committees.
“Ours is completely different, you had your tenure, you have got accomplished your tenure, it’s correct you let go. Life doesn’t create a vacuum. In case you are not there once more, that’s, in case your tenure has expired, doesn’t imply I ought to, as a result of I wish to please you, can help you keep longer. No. It doesn’t occur like that. Folks should take over, handle the affairs and elections will probably be carried out.”
Fubara mentioned it was essential to understand how funds of the 23 Native authorities councils have been managed within the final three years, and directed the Auditor-Common of Native Authorities to start auditing the accounts and make the report accessible inside the subsequent one month.
Fubara mentioned: “I additionally wish to say that, for the native authorities actions previously three years, I’d wish to mandate: which is official project, not even a statutory obligation, that the Auditor-Common ought to instantly begin the audit of the 23 Native Authorities Councils previously three years, and provide you with the consequence within the subsequent one month.
“It can be crucial so that we’ll know what has occurred and the way our funds have been being utilized in these 23 Native Authorities Areas. It can be crucial in order that it is going to be a examine for these people who find themselves additionally coming.”
Fubara instructed the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen that their tenure wouldn’t be too lengthy as a result of the method for the conduct of recent elections of native authorities chairmen and councillors in our state had began.
He suggested them to renew at their respective native authorities councils with utmost sense of obligation and dedication to serve the folks and defend the curiosity of Rivers.
He warned them towards any type of confrontation, insisting that such was not in his nature and suggested them to be law-abiding as they take full management of the native authorities councils.
He mentioned, “No matter occurred yesterday (Tuesday), I do know and the world is aware of that it’s not from you folks. Some individuals triggered it. So, allow us to not give them the chance to proceed to make our State look dangerous within the comity of States.
“So, once you return, if there’s any state of affairs, you have to be law- abiding. I don’t need any confrontation. You’ll be able to function from anyplace for now. However a very powerful factor is that you’ve the management of the Native Authorities right now.”
These sworn-in are: Madigai Dickson, Abua/Odual; Pleased Benneth, Ahoada East; Ahoada West, Mr. Daddy John Inexperienced; Otonye Briggs, Akuku-Toru; Andoni, Reginald Ekaan; and Asari-Toru, Orolosoma Amachree.
Bonny, Alabota Anengi Barasua returned as chairperson; Degema, Anthony Soberekon; Eleme, Mind Gokpa, David Omereji, Emohua; John Otamiri Nkugbo, Etche.
Others are Gokana, Κenneth Kpeden, chairman; Ikwerre, Dr. Darlington Orji; Khana, Amb. Marvin Yobana; Obio/Akpor Amb. Chijioke Ihunwo; Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni; Princewill Ejekwe; Ogu/Bolo, Evans B. Biρι; Okrika, Princess I. B. Ogan; Omuma, Promise Reginald; Opobo/Νκoro, Enyiada Cookey-Gam; Oyigbo, Gogo Phillip, Ichemati Ezebunwo, Port Harcourt Metropolis; Matthew Dike, Tai.
