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• APC calls for state of emergency
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed an immediate audit of accounts of the 23 local government councils.
He gave the directive in Port Harcourt, yesterday, shortly after inaugurating the Caretaker Committee chairmen following their screening and confirmation by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led House of Assembly at its sitting earlier
Governor Fubara said it was important for Rivers people to know how the finances of the councils were managed in the past three years.
The governor, who demanded that the auditing process must be thorough, said the report should be submitted within one month.
“I officially mandate the Auditor-General to immediately commence the audit of the 23 local government councils in the past three years. This auditing is very important, we need to know how public funds were managed in the third tier system in the past three years. This process will help us to also keep those that are coming in on their feet. It is not business as usual.”
Fubara urged the new chairmen to ensure prudent management of resources and delivery of democracy dividends to the people.
He also urged them to compute and pay outstanding financial benefits, including salaries meant for the outgoing chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors.
“Avoid confrontation, endeavour to be law-abiding all the time as you take full control of the local government system,” he said.
Fubara stated that the tenure of the caretaker committees would not be long as efforts would be made to quickly conduct elections into the councils.
However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for a state of emergency.
State CTC chairman of the APC, Tony Okocha, who briefed journalists in Port Harcourt, accused the governor of encouraging breakdown of law and order, as well as illegal takeover of councils.
In a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Joe Johnson, dismissed Okocha’s call for a state of emergency as an empty call.
“Well, the call by Tony Okocha, even though I have not heard it, is an empty call that has no basis.
“Rivers people are reacting to the situations that are unsavoury. So, if there is any reason for anybody to protest in Rivers State, know that it’s a protest in support of the government against the people that captured them for eight years.
“They (protesters) are reacting to emancipate themselves. They are getting out of captivity they all suffered in the last eight years.
“And the governor is too busy to think of protest from any angle. He is too busy to sponsor any protest….
“The state is against any enemies of the state. So, there is no other way to describe it than to say, the event of today has enthroned a regime that will prepare the state for a peaceful election.
“And to say also that the former chairmen, who were kicking and showing resistance to leave office after expiration of their tenure, didn’t understand the tenets of the law. Justice Kio had ruled that the House of Assembly has no powers under any law as guided by our constitution to extend the tenure of any local government chairman. And they accepted that and went on appeal.”
Johnson said the decision by the former council chairmen to resist vacating their office was funny, adding that there was no way they would fool Rivers people.
He added that there is nothing known to law on Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
“If anything, they were former lawmakers until the court says otherwise. But, I am relying on the judgement of the trial judge, which is Justice Charles Wali.”
Meanwhile, the PDP has cautioned the immediate past local government chairmen in Rivers State against actions that might disrupt the peace of the state.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the tenure of the former council bosses has expired, in accordance with the extant law.
“The party notes that the three years tenure in office of the former Rivers State Local Government Councils has expired by the effluxion of time under the relevant state law establishing the Rivers State Local Government Council Administration.
“The PDP, therefore, counsels the former Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen to desist from any action that may constitute disruption in local government administration in the state.
“The party calls on the people of Rivers State to remain calm, law-abiding and continue to work together for the continued stability, peace and delivery of democracy dividends in Rivers State, “the opposition party stated.
