A group of federal lawmakers in the House of Representatives, known as the G60, have urged indigenes of Rivers State to alert the police if they see any local government chairmen still parading as chairman after their tenure expires today.
In a statement by their spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmakers stated that after today’s tenure expiration, any former chairmen continuing to act in their roles should be arrested for treason. The lawmakers praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for displaying an uncommon democratic character by allowing Rivers State local government chairmen to finish their three-year tenure without disruption, despite facing various attacks.
The G60 urged the outgoing chairmen to hand over peacefully and exit office, stressing that no court can legally extend their tenure. The statement read in part, “The tenure of the present local government in Rivers State is ending today, and Governor Fubara was magnanimous to have allowed the local government system to function democratically. He didn’t dissolve them even when he had issues with his predecessor; he allowed them to continue in office until the expiration of their tenure.”
The lawmakers emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law and called on the public to be vigilant. “We are urging the outgoing chairmen to hand over peacefully and exit office. No court can give them tenure elongation because it’s against the law. Failure to adhere to the rule of law, we therefore urge indigenes of Rivers State to alert the police if they see any of the local government chairmen still parading as chairman,” the statement continued.
Governor Fubara was lauded for his commitment to democratic principles and for allowing the local government chairmen to complete their terms, setting an example of respecting the democratic process.
