In a significant political shift, Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has mandated that the heads of administration in the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) assume control of the councils.
This directive comes as the tenures of the previously elected chairmen, their deputies, and councilors have officially ended.
The now-departed officials were predominantly aligned with former governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Their tenure expiration marks the end of a chapter deeply influenced by Wike’s political strategies and affiliations.
This transition occurs amidst the backdrop of a recent contentious political development.
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, whose seats were declared vacant by the State High Court following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), had previously used their legislative power to veto Governor Fubara’s proposal, and extend the tenure of the council officials by six months.
However, the High Court’s ruling not only invalidated the lawmakers’ positions but also nullified all laws and resolutions they enacted post-defection.
The court’s decision asserted that these legislative actions were void and held no binding effect on the State Government, thus reinforcing Governor Fubara’s authority and paving the way for recent administrative changes.
Governor Fubara’s decision is expected to realign the administrative operations within the LGAs, steering them away from the previous Wike loyalists’ influence.
As the heads of administration take charge, Rivers State anticipates a phase of political recalibration and governance restructuring.