BREAKING: River LG crisis escalates as former militant warlord steps in, sends strong message to Wike, outgoing LG Chairmen 

BREAKING: River LG crisis escalates as former militant warlord steps in, sends strong message to Wike, outgoing LG Chairmen 

 

Mujahid Asari Dokubo, a prominent Niger Delta leader and former militant warlord, has called on Local Government chairmen in Rivers State to acknowledge the end of their three-year tenure and vacate their offices peacefully.

 

A new crisis is brewing in Rivers State over the tenure of the 23 council chairmen.

 

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara has ordered these chairmen, supported by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to step down after their tenure expired.

 

However, the chairmen have resisted, citing a six-month extension granted by the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers House of Assembly.

 

The Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, amended the law to extend the LG chairmen’s tenure, arguing that Fubara failed to conduct local government elections. State ALGON Chairman, Allwell Ihunda, who also chairs the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, insists this legislative amendment permits them to remain in office.

 

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During the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Port Harcourt, Asari Dokubo declared that extending the tenure is unconstitutional.

 

“Local government tenure has expired today (June 17, 2024). They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the Constitution, they should do so,” he stated.

 

He emphasized that any attempt to extend their tenure beyond the constitutional limit violates their oath of office.

 

Asari Dokubo, also known as the Edi Abali of Kalabari land, warned the former chairmen against provoking “people’s power,” stating, “Their position is tenure-bound, and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of the state. And I want to advise young people, that: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used.”

 

He urged the youth of Rivers State to protect the state from self-serving individuals. Quoting a popular radio jingle.

 

“Love Rivers State or leave her alone. Don’t pull her down. Think what you can do for her, engage yourself in meaningful activities…” he said

 

Asari Dokubo affirmed, “Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time.

 

“The people of Rivers State are bigger than Mujahid Asari Dokubo. Rivers State is bigger than any individual.

 

“No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.”

 

He criticized leaders whose children are not involved in local affairs, contrasting them with figures like Mandela and himself, whose children participate in their struggles.

 

“Most of us (them), their children are not here, and their children have never come out to stand in front of any protest,” he added. “So, nobody should be allowed to be used,” he added

 

Concluding his remarks, Asari Dokubo noted the people’s resolve, saying, “The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.”

 

“The people of Rivers State are exercising their power, and they are ready to take over until the government is ready to conduct a new election,” he declared.