By Amah
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has sworn in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.
The ceremony was conducted at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, amid tight security.
The governor had earlier sent the list to the state House of Assembly led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, for screening and ratification.
This is coming on the heels of a renewed political crisis in the state, as former council chairmen, suspected to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, refused to vacate their offices after their tenure expired on Tuesday until they were chased out by angry youths.
Fubara forwarded the list to the assembly in a statement issued on Tuesday night by G.M. Gillis-West, the Clerk of the House.
According to the statement, the assembly invited the nominees for screening on Wednesday by 8 am where the list was approved and they were consequently sworn in by the governor.
The full list of the caretaker chairmen are:
1. Abua/Odua LGA – Madigai Dickson
2. Ahoada East LGA – Happy Benneth
3. Ahoada West LGA – Mr. Daddy John Green
4. Akuku Toru LGa – Otonye Briggs
5. Andoni LGA – Reginald Ekaan
6. Asari Toru LGA – Orolosoma Amachree
7. Bonny LGA – Alabota Anengi Barasua
8. Degema LGA – Anthony Soberekon
9. Eleme LGA – Brain Gokpa
10. Emouha LGA – David Omereji
11. Etche LGA – John Otamiri
12. Gokana LGA – Kenneth Kpeden
13. Ikwerre LGA – Darlington Orji
14. Khana LGA – Marvin Yobana
15. Obia/Akpor LGA – Chijioke Ihunwo
16. Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA – Princewill Ejekwe
Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip
Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
The crisis in the state took a turn for the worse on Tuesday as protesting youths loyal to Fubara dislodged chairmen whose three-year tenure expired on Monday but vowed to remain in office, citing the Local Government Amendment Law 2024 enacted by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
Yesterday’s skirmishes led to the death of a policeman and a member of the vigilante services.
Fubara and Wike, his predecessor and godfather have been at daggers drawn over who controls the oil-rich state.
