In the wake of a fresh crisis in Rivers State on Tuesday, 18 June 2024 stemmed by two warring PDP political factions over the tenure of elected officials of 23 local governments, and leading to the death of a policeman and a vigilante squad member.-
Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Chijioke Ihunwo, the chairperson of the National Youth Council in the state, and an alleged staunch opposing voice of former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as chairperson of Obio/Akpor local government area where Wike hails from.
Fubara who also appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, continues to spar with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for the control of the political structure and influence in the state.
It maybe recalled that the governor had previously directed administrative heads to take charge of council areas temporarily from the outgoing elected officials whose tenures ended on Monday, 17 June.
Notably, a large number of the outgoing council officials were elected during Wike’s term as governor and are allegedly still loyal to him—vowing to remain in office with the claim that the state House of Assembly had extended their tenure by six months.
However, the new caretaker chairpersons mominated by Governor Fubara have been invited by the Clerk of the State Assembly, G. M. Gillis-West, to appear for screening and confirmation today.
