By FORMER militant, Muhajid Asari Dokubo, has urged chairmen of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State to vacate their seats and return home since their three-year tenure has expired.
He urged them to accept the end of their three-year tenure in good faith, and resist creating unnecessary tension in the state.
Dokubo, who was flanked by stakeholders of the Muslim community in Rivers State, spoke to mark the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Port Harcourt on Monday,
He described tenure elongation being craved for the erstwhile chairmen as an aberration to the Constitution of Nigeria.
According to him, the former chairmen, whose tenure expired today 17th June, 2024, cannot force on themselves any extension of time that runs contrary to the oath of office they swore to, and be tolerated.
Dokubo, who is also the Edi Abali of Kalabari land, warned the former chairmen not to invite the wrath of, what he called, the “people’s power,” because it will descend on them so heavily.
“Local Government tenure has expired today (17th June, 2024). They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the Constitution, they should go and seek re-election.
“But there is no tenure elongation in the Constitution. Their position is tenure-bound, and that tenure has expired.
“Let them not cause unnecessary problem for the people of the State. And I want to advise young people, that: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used,” he admonished.
Asari Dokubo said the youth in Rivers State must know and understand what their roles were in protecting their state against self-seeking individuals who see it as their private estate.
Making reference to a popular radio jingle on Radio Rivers: “Love Rivers State or leave her alone. Don’t pull her down. Think what you can do for her, engage yourself in meaningful activities…”, Asari Dokubo insisted that the state is bigger than one individual.
“Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time.
“The people of Rivers State are bigger than Muhajid Asari Dokubo. Rivers State is bigger than any individual.
“No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.
“Most of us (them), their children are not here, and their children have never come out to stand in front of any protest.
“They’re not like Mandela and his children or me and my children or any other body.
“A lot of people, they have not done this. So, nobody should be allowed to be used.”
“The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.
“So, the people of Rivers State are exercising their people’s power, and they are ready to take over until the government is ready to conduct a new election,” he concluded.
Stonix News reports that in Rivers State on Monday, Police vans were sighted at the entrance gates of some local government headquarters viz: Port Harcourt City LGA at Bank road in Port, Obio Akpor LGA gate at Rumuodomaya, Ogu/Bolo and Ahoada East Local government areas.
It was gathered the police were mobilised to protect lives and properties following the takeover and lock up of the Degema Local Government Area secretariat by some youths.
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