The Rivers State Councillors’ Forum has alleged that the outgoing local government chairmen are plotting to aggravate the political crisis that has been rocking the state.
The forum alleged that some local government chairmen and councillors believed to be loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are plotting to sabotage the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara via protest in the state.
The allegation was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the forum’s meeting held at the weekend.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Reginald Promise, Leader, Omuma Legislative Council; Larry ID Ibaningo, Leader, Bonny Legislative Council; Christian Ewah, Leader, Ahoada West Legislative Council; Samuel Manilla, Leader, Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Council; and Bernard Unwe ThankGod, Ahoada East Legislative Council.
According to them, it’s unfair that the local government chairmen are currently mobilising protests over alleged unpaid salaries when the governor has been prompt in paying salaries and other remunerations.
They urged the people of the state and the general public to disregard any group of persons under any guise who plan to cause any form of security breach in any part of Rivers.
“We, the Legislative Council Leaders, on behalf of the Councillors Forum, call on His Excellency, the good people of Rivers State and the general public to disregard any group of persons in any guise who plan to cause any form of security breach in the state.
“We, therefore, call on His Excellency to call the Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS to beef up security within and around the state,” the communiqué added.
They further alleged that the chairmen have been greedy and self-centred.
“These chairmen receive timely huge amounts of allocations and IGRs. Yet they have done little to show for it, save for one or two LGAs that actually used the funds judiciously to the benefit of the people. It is interesting to know that, councillors under the dispensation of these LGA Chairmen have been nothing short of slaves,” they further stated.
DAILY POST reports that the development may not be unconnected with the lingering political crisis rocking the state following the supremacy battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike.
The LG chairmen, expected to bow out of office in June, recently called for the governor’s impeachment.
Rivers crisis: Councillors’ forum alleges plots by council chairmen to cause chaos