Wilfred Alabo-Jack, PortHarcourt
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, swore in new caretaker chairmen for the 23 local government areas of the state.
Fubara inaugurated the new caretaker chairmen hours after the House of Assembly, led by factional Speaker, Victor Jumbo, screened and approved the nominees sent on Tuesday.
A statement by the Clerk of the House, G.M. Gillis-West, said Governor Fubara forwarded the list to the state House of Assembly and the nominees were invited for screening as early as 8 am on Wednesday.
The nomination came amid a renewed political crisis in the state, as former council chairmen refused to vacate their offices after their tenure expired.
The caretaker chairmen were sworn in at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, amid tight security.
The first batch of eleven caretaker chairmen took their oath of office before other batches came in to also take theirs.
Below are the names of the caretaker chairmen nominated by the Governor:
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
17. Ogu/Bolo LGA – Evans Bipi
18. Okrika LGA – Princess Ogan
19. Omuma LGA – Promise Reginald
20. Opobo/Nkoro LGA – Enyiada Cookey-Gam
21. Oyigbo LGA – – Gogo Philip
22. Port Harcourt LGA – Ichemati Ezebunwo
23. Tai LGA – Matthew Dike
On Tuesday, there was a renewed crisis in the state as protesting youths loyal to Fubara dislodged chairmen who refused to leave their offices.
A policeman and a vigilance operative were killed in a shootout at the Eberi-Omuma secretariat in Omuma Local Government Area during a clash between supporters of Fubara and those of his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Police however took over the 23 councils’ Secretariats, on Tuesday, to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
