Politics

Southern Governors Support Fubara on LG Chairmen’s Tenure in Rivers State; See Details agreed on for LG Chairmen Tenure

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 26th, 2024.

Southern Governors Support Fubara on LG Chairmen’s Tenure in Rivers State; See Details agreed on for LG Chairmen Tenure

Governors from the southern region of Nigeria have expressed their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s stance regarding the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State.

Addressing the political tension in Rivers State over the tenure of local government chairmen, Dapo Abiodun, the chairman of the Southern Governors Forum and Governor of Ogun State, stated that extending the tenure of elected officials is unconstitutional. He emphasized that the law clearly defines the tenure of elected officials, and once that tenure expires, it should not be extended by any means.

Governor Abiodun commented on the Rivers State House of Assembly’s decision to extend the local government chairmen’s tenure, a move rejected by Governor Fubara, who then appointed caretaker chairmen. In an interview with a national television station, Abiodun warned that extending the tenure of local government chairmen would set a dangerous precedent.

Speaking on behalf of other southern governors, Abiodun asserted that allowing tenure extensions could undermine democracy in Nigeria. He stated, “On local government administration, it is a constitutional issue that must be respected. When your tenure has expired, it has expired. It is not up to the governor or anyone else to extend it.”

He added that the collective position of the southern governors is that extending the tenure of an elected local government chairman is an abuse of democratic principles. “If tenure extension is allowed, it becomes a precedent and a reference point, potentially leading to future demands for similar extensions. Our democracy has evolved, and we should not do anything to undermine the process,” Abiodun said.

Governor Abiodun also revealed that the Southern Governors Forum agreed on a comprehensive transport master plan to support regional infrastructural development. He expressed the governors’ appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the coastal road project award, highlighting its importance for economic development and job creation.

“We discussed the need for regional integration through infrastructure to facilitate investment, promote the movement of goods and services, and enhance the general wellbeing of our people. We unanimously appreciated President Tinubu for the coastal road project, which connects almost all southern states and is crucial for economic development. Additionally, we called for the Federal Government to transfer some Trunk A roads to state governments willing to manage them,” Abiodun noted.

The forum also agreed on a modal transport master plan to integrate rail, water, and road transportation, recognizing transportation’s key role in enabling investment and improving residents’ quality of life.