Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has taken a significant political step by appointing 23 non-indigenes into the local government caretaker committees, marking a notable move toward inclusivity. According to reports, This decision follows the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former elected council officials, who were predominantly loyal to former governor and current FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
The appointments were part of a seven-member caretaker committee for each of the 23 local government councils, ensuring non-indigenes have representation. The Director of Mobilisation of the Non-Indigene SIMplified Movement, Uchenna Okokoba, praised the governor's decision, highlighting it as a testament to Governor Fubara's commitment to inclusivity.
The transition has not been without controversy. The former council officials, loyal to Wike, had refused to vacate their positions, citing a contentious amendment to the Local Government Administration Law that extended their tenure by six months and restricted the governor’s power to appoint caretakers. This amendment, enacted by pro-Wike lawmakers, was invalidated by the courts, which supported Fubara’s authority to appoint the committees.
A crucial development occurred when Victor Oko-Jumbo, the newly elected speaker of a three-member Rivers House of Assembly, secured an interlocutory injunction from the State High Court. This injunction restrained the pro-Wike lawmakers from acting as assembly members and invalidated their resolutions since their defection from the PDP to the APC in December.
Violence erupted following the inauguration of the new caretaker committees, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including a police officer. In response, the state police took control of the local government secretariats. Despite the unrest, Governor Fubara has assured the new appointees that their mandate remains effective regardless of their operational base.
This strategic move by Governor Fubara is seen as an effort to consolidate his grassroots political support, a significant setback for Wike's allies who were keen to maintain their influence.