Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Wednesday, hosted the immediate past chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state at his private residence in Port Harcourt.
The former chairmen visited to express their unwavering support for Fubara and his administration’s vision, encapsulated in the mantra “Rivers First.”
Leading the delegation was Prince Ezebunwo Ichemati, former chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council.
During the visit, the 23 former LGA chairmen reaffirmed their loyalty to the governor’s mandate, urging Rivers residents to stand by him despite prevailing political challenges.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Fubara, Nelson Chukwudi, quoted the chairmen as emphasizing that “this is a critical time for Rivers people to remain united and law-abiding to prevent adversaries from exploiting the situation.”
Their visit follows the suspension of Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Nma Odu, and all elected members of the state’s House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, who declared a six-month state of emergency in the state on March 18.
The President justified his decision by citing the prolonged political crisis in the state, which he claimed posed a threat to critical national assets.
In response to the situation, Tinubu appointed retired Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of oil rich south-south state, entrusting him with the state’s administrative affairs during the six-month suspension period.
