PRESS STATEMENT
By VANGUARD FOR TRANSPARENT LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRACY (VATLAD)
June 15, 2024
JUNE 17TH END OF TENURES FOR RIVERS STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS CHAIRMEN: CALL ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO URGENTLY INVOKE DOCTRINE OF NECESSITY TO SAVE RIVERS STATE FROM ACTUAL BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER
Ahead of the expected end of the three-year tenure on June 17, 2024 of the incumbent chairmen of local government councils of Rivers State loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, there is confirmed heightening political tension between supporters of governor Fubara and those of former governor Wike, which if not urgently and decisively addressed would lead to threat to Peace, actual breakdown of Law and Public Order across the State.
It is sadly and undeniable fact that Rivers State is right now facing grave and imminent danger with both opposing political groups gearing for full blown war on June 17th and days after, for the takeover and control of administration of the local government councils.
It is also an established fact that as a result of conflicting judgments of Courts and pending law suits relating to determination of lawful members and leadership of the State House of Assembly, there exist no legislative organ of government carrying out the constitutional duty of making laws for Peace, Order and Good government of the State as stipulated by section 4(6) of 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended.
We are all aware that majority of the incumbent chairmen of the local government councils have publicly vowed never to exit their positions on June 17, 2024 on the ground that the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule had amended the River State Local Government Law mandating them to continue in their positions if governor Fubara fails or refuses to conduct local government elections before June 17, 2024.
It is also a fact that Governor Fubara has refused to conduct local government council elections and refused to recognise Rt Hon. Martin Amaewehule-led Legislators and the amendment to the law they made. Instead, the governor has been reported to have vowed to have his Interim Arrangement for the administration of the local government councils on June 17, 2024 or days after.
It is also imperative for us to remind Nigerians that former governor Wike whom the Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule-led legislators are loyal to, has on several occasions, also publicly vowed never to allow governor Fubara destroy or take over his political structure which is domicile at these local government areas through the imposition of caretaker committees or interim management by governor Fubara
What the above scenarios clearly establish is the undeniable fact that Rivers State is facing grave and actual danger and the Peace, Security and well-being of the people of the State may not be guaranteed.
In view of the fact that the Doctrine of Necessity is globally accepted extraordinary action taken by any relevant organ of government to prevent breakdown of or restore Order or uphold fundamental constitutional principles, we therefore call on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly to immediately or urgently invoke the Doctrine of Necessity in Rivers State with a view to preventing the pending actual breakdown of law and order and to uphold fundamental constitutional principles in Rivers State until such time the State House of Assembly is able to resume its functions.
It is instructive for us to state that by the express provisions of sections 4 and 11(4) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, the National Assembly has the constitutional power to make laws for the Peace, Order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof and for any State at any time when the House of Assembly of the State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State,
To this end, we suggest as follows:
1) the constitution of not more than a 5-member Interim Management Team for each of the local government councils made up of only men and women drawn from the academia, judiciary, religious groups, professional bodies and non-governmental organizations who must be indigenes of the respective local government areas and who are not members of any political party in Nigeria and not known to be supporters or close associates of governor Fubara or former governor Wike.
2) these Interim Management Committees are to administer the local government councils for not more than three months during which period local government elections shall be conducted and supervised by INEC Officials
Signed for VATLAD
COMRADE (ENGR) IGBINI ODAFE EMMANUEL
National President;
VATLAD
