In a decisive move, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has enacted a prohibition preventing all heads and officials from the 23 local government areas in the state from participating in Rivers Assembly sessions, specifically targeting lawmakers aligned with the Pro-Wike faction.

The governor cautioned that any individual who attends sessions convened by lawmakers supportive of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, will face dismissal.

Recall that Governor Fubara reiterated that the state currently lacks recognized lawmakers in the eyes of the law, citing the defection of 27 legislators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor’s statement, this move has invalidated their mandate as outlined in the constitution.

It was however gathered that the governor’s directive was communicated via an online circular signed by Ebirieneuket Nteile C, Director of Information and Communications for Chairman Local Government Service Commission, dated Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

The circular reads “I am directed to inform you/ all officers of the 23 Local Government Councils in Rivers State, not to honour/appear before the Members of Assembly or any purported invitation by anybody or group of persons in any guise without the permission of the Acting Chairman- Local Government Service Commission.

“Any staff who disobeys or violates this instruction will be dismissed accordingly from service. Treat as very important, please.”

In a bold move echoing political tensions, the Local Government Area Chairmen in Rivers State have united in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s fervent call for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

The 21 LGA chairmen, convened under the Association Of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter, underscored the imperative of safeguarding democratic principles and upholding the Rule of Law within the state’s governance framework.

Addressing the media in Port Harcourt, Chairman of ALGON in the state, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, who also heads the Port Harcourt City LGA, voiced concerns over alleged withholding of LGA allocations by the Governor since April, intensifying the political standoff.

Ihunda denounced the situation as a display of executive recklessness by the governor, highlighting the Governor’s failure to convene the Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC), a crucial step for the release and distribution of funds between the state and LGAs.

He condemned the Governor’s actions as unlawful, warning of the looming threat of totalitarianism gripping the state.

Ihunda said “It has come to the notice of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Rivers State Chapter that the Rivers State Government under the leadership of His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, has neglected, failed and deliberately refused to hold the statutory Joint Account Allocation Committee Meeting (JAAC) which is the prerequisite for the release and disbursement of funds due to the Local Governments in the State Joint Local Government Account and has continued to withhold the statutory allocation due to the 23 Local Governments Councils of Rivers State since the month of April, 2024 (and in the case of Emohua since March, 2024) till date for no just cause, thereby starving the third tier of government of the funds required to discharge its statutory functions in the administration of the Local Government Areas.

“It has also come to our notice that the Governor of Rivers State held a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Heads of Personnel Management (HPM), Treasurers of Local Governments and other Directors on Monday the 6th day of May, 2024 in Government House Port Harcourt whereat he directed them to go and compile for presentation to him of the salary vouchers and over heads of civil servants (excluding Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Councilors and other political office holders), for the various Local Governments with a view to unlawfully dipping his hands into Local Government funds to pay staff salaries directly without the involvement of the democratically elected Local Government Chairmen.

Ihunda pointed out that the Governor’s actions suggest an attempt to undermine the constitutionally guaranteed system of Local Government, as enshrined in section 7 of the 1999 Constitution.

He emphasized that such actions equate to an unlawful proscription of the Local Government Councils.

Accusing Fubara of openly defying the law he swore to uphold, Ihunda urged the State House of Assembly to intervene swiftly to curb the Governor’s overreach.

Meanwhile, the Legal Adviser of the body, Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, also serving as the Chairman of Andoni LGA, emphasized that the democratically elected Chairmen are determined to remain in office.

He pointed out that the law grants them the authority to extend their tenure by an additional six months.

Awoto said: “Yes, we got elected in 2021 and our tenure is to expire in June. But by now LG elections ought to have been concluded and the winners awaiting swearing in.

“The Assembly has seen that no action has been taking in respect of conducting an election and in their wisdom knows there shouldn’t be any vacuum and we have to maintain democratically elected Chairmen as in the local government law said until elections are done, this Chairmen will stay in office for another six months in the interim.

“As a matter of fact, in respect of this too we went to court, because the state government has not shown any attention as regards local government elections. What we are seeing is associates of the governor making comments that on thr 17th and 18th of June they are going to invade LG offices and they will bring everybody down. This is an invitation to anarchy.

“We as local government Chairmen we going to remain in office because the law as amended by the Rivers State House of Assembly says so. That law has given us additional six month and we will remain in office after the expiration.”

His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has showered praises on the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke over his administration’s holistic infrastructure agenda for the state.

According to Oba Ogunwusi the Lagere flyover bridge flagged off on Tuesday would deepen Osun East economy.

The Royal Father was welcoming Gov Adeleke and his team on behalf of leaders of Ifeland at his palace, the global monarch analyzed the economic significance of Lagere Junction linking all major economic arteries of Osun State from Gbongan-Ikire axis in Osun West to Garage Olode on the route to Ondo and the direct economic linkage to Ijeshaland.

He joined other dignitaries for the flag-off at the Lagere Junction.

His Royal Majesty described the Lagere flyover bridge as the coming of an economic hub which will expand the economic prosperity of not just Ifeland but Osun East and Osun State as a whole.

He said, “I must commend the foresight and thoughtfulness of Mr. Governor. Your agenda to expand state infrastructure is impressive and unrivaled.

“This Lagere flyover bridge and its location touch at the economic heart of our people. We deeply appreciate your vision of uplifting and transforming Ifeland, the cradle of Yoruba nation.

“We are convinced that you will complete it in record time. We are also assured that you will put to practice your avowed commitment to local content and stomach infrastructure. When you finish the Lagere project, we know you will commence another one at Mayfair. At least, Ifeland is the origin of all Yoruba people.”

Flagging off the project at a ceremony attended by top leaders of the state including the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; the House Speaker, Adewale Egbedun; the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ireyode Abidemi Oyewusi; the State Chairman of the ruling party, Hon Sunday Bisi; the Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina; and Chairman of Imole Leadership team, Prof Wale Oladipo, Gov Adeleke said his infra agenda is primed to change the economic fortunes of the state for the better.