JUST IN: Governor Fubara Finally Takes Full Control of 23 Rivers Local Governments as Wike Allies Run Into Hiding 

Governor Fubara Finally Takes Full Control of 23 Rivers Local Governments as Wike Allies Run Into Hiding 

In a decisive move, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has instructed heads of administration in all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to assume control of their respective councils starting Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

This order comes as the tenure of the elected chairmen, their deputies, and councilors, most of whom are loyal to former governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, officially expires.

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The shift in local government control follows recent political turbulence. Members of the State House of Assembly, whose seats were declared vacant by the State High Court due to their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), had previously attempted to extend the tenure of the council officials by six months.

This move was aimed at maintaining the influence of Wike’s allies within the local governments.

However, the court not only declared the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant but also ruled that any laws and resolutions passed by them post-defection were invalid. This judicial decision effectively nullified their amendment of the local government law, paving the way for Governor Fubara to assert his authority.

Governor Fubara’s directive marks a significant power shift in Rivers State politics, as he moves to consolidate control over the LGAs previously dominated by Wike’s supporters. The decision underscores the governor’s intent to reinforce his administration’s grip on local governance and diminish the lingering influence of his predecessor.