The political configuration of Rivers State may be heading for a new direction after Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly directed all 23 local government chairmen in the state to contest the forthcoming local government elections under the platform of the All People’s Party, APP.
It was reported that the move to the APP came after Governor Fubara and his loyalists were sidelined in the struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leading to a denial forms to partake in the congresses that produced the new structure of the party in the state.
The development meant that control of the PDP in Rivers State was vested on Mr Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, with the incumbent Governor losing control of the PDP structure in the State.
The apparent nod to the local government chairmen by Fubara to contest on the platform of the APP is a remarkable shift in the politics of Rivers State and could break the 25-year grip of the PDP on the state.
Meanwhile Fubara has suspended Otonye Briggs, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
A statement on by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi noted that Briggs’ suspension is with immediate effective.
Chukwudi did not, however, give a reason for the suspension.
“The Governor has directed Hon Bitebobo Amiee to immediately take over as chairperson. though specific reasons for the decision were not disclosed.
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“Mr Briggs is hereby directed to hand over all council property in his possession to the (new) Caretaker Committee Chairperson,” he said.
The suspension comes there months after Fubara inaugurated the chairpersons of the caretaker committee for the 23 local government areas of the state.
Their inauguration followed the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former elected council officials in the state.
The action triggered violence in the state between supporters of Governor Fubara and those of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is the FCT Minister.
The former LG Chairmen, backed by Wike, had refused to vacate office, prompting a clash with Fubara’s supporters that resulted in the death of two persons, including a police officer.
After violence broke out, the Police Force ordered its operatives to take over the 23 council secretariats.
In his three months in office, Briggs did not operate from his official office as the secretariat is still occupied by the police.
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