Amid the crisis surrounding local government administration in Rivers State, supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, congregated at the council premises of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council (PHALGA) on Wednesday. The police have since taken control of the PHALGA area and other local council premises in Rivers State.
In an interview with Correspondents, Maxwell Enwukwe, a former Council Executive and current coordinator of grassroots development initiatives in PHALGA, stated that they will oppose any efforts by the new caretaker team to assume control.
“These individuals are young people from the Port Harcourt Local Government Council, and we have assembled here to ensure peace and order within our local government council. Yesterday, we received information about certain individuals who attempted to incite trouble by mobilizing hoodlums to besiege the council, even on a public holiday. Today, we have gathered here to ascertain the reasons behind this, but thankfully, the police have taken charge of the local government council, and everyone is here peacefully without any incidents. These are supporters of grassroots development initiatives linked to the Minister of the FCT, “Enwukwe explained.
The group has also decided not to vacate the PHALGA premises, which are located a short distance from the Rivers State Government House.
Despite the local government chairmen in Rivers State claiming that their tenure was extended by the State House of Assembly after it expired on Tuesday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has asserted that no such extension has occurred. He has proceeded to nominate caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils.
