Some of the recently sacked chairmen of Rivers State local Government Area councils, on Saturday, opposed and countered the decisions of the newly inaugurated caretaker chairmen to dissolve standing committees in their various councils.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
Former Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, argued that the caretaker committee Chairman, Darlington Orji, lacked the legitimacy to dissolve the committees.
According to him, “The announcement from the said Darlington Oji is entirely false and misleading. Dr. Nwanosike Samuel, as the duly elected chairman, retains full authority over the establishment and dissolution of all committees within the Ikwerre Local Government.
“Any such decision must come directly from his office, and no such dissolution has been authorized or communicated by him.
“The committees in question remain active and continue to perform their designated functions under the leadership of Dr. Nwanosike Samuel. It is important for the public to be aware that any contrary claims are baseless and should be disregarded.
“We urge the public to rely on official communications from the office of the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman for accurate information”.
Similarly, the sacked Chairman of Obio-Akpo, Dr. George Ariolu, insisted that the committees dissolved by the new caretaker chairman, Chijioke Ihunwo, remained functional.
Ariolu stated, “I state that all standing committees, and ad hoc committees formed and created by me, the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, George Ariolu Ph.D. remains functional and operational.
“I make this rebuttal because the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin C. Amaewhule has extended the tenure of Executive Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and councillors of the local government council of Rivers State by six months, and same extension is now subject of litigation pending before, for which the court has ordered that parties maintain status quo.
“Based on our information, one Chijioke Ihunwo and his illegal CTC members have in a letter dated 19th day of June, 2024 in defiance of the order of the court and the extant law as made by the Rivers state House of Assembly announced the dissolution of all standing committees and adhoc committees created by the elected council executive.
“A detailed appraisal of the present situation indicates that Chijioke Ihunwo and his cohorts do not have any right from any source of law, being that the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended do not recognize Caretaker Government, and to dissolve any committee formed/created by the elected executive of the local government council or create by elected local government official for whatever purpose, is an aberration.
“Consequently, members of the public are advised to ignore whatever announcement regarding the dissolution of all or any standing committees adhoc committees of Obio/Akpor Local government council ranging from revenue, sanitation environmental, markets operating within the LGA.
“I further advise that members of the public should continue to relate.ans deal with all members of the committees as formed by the elected Executives of Obio/Akpor local government council, and also request that the security agents will take notice of this position and deal with same appropriately”.>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
