Emmanuel Masha 
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara yesterday, convened a high-level security council meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, even as he insisted there would be no tenure extension for local government councils in the state.
The meeting with heads of security agencies was ostensibly to ensure that the local government chairmen, whose tenure expired on Monday from plunging the state into crisis, as they had insisted on continuing in office.
The security meeting, which took place at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, was also in reaction to the resolve by some youths in the state to besiege some council secretariats until the council chairmen left.
The meeting also looked at ways to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state’s 23 local government areas and to maintain security in the state. The governor, who spoke to reporters after the meeting, said that he called the meeting in order to ensure the stability and continuity of governmental functions across the state.
Fubara also said that his political adversaries are plotting to target and arrest his supporters, promising to safeguard all residents of the state and their properties. The governor also said that there are efforts to prevent further invasions of local government offices, but called on the immediate past council chairmen to avoid returning to their offices since it is unlawful.
He stated: “It is crucial that we respect the rule of law and the democratic transitions that uphold our governance structures.” The governor insisted that there was no extension of the tenure of elected local government chairmen, adding that the law is unambiguous on it, clarifying that the court has also affirmed the position of the law.
The governor said: “Let me also say this: I’m also aware that there is a grand plan to come and arrest some of our supporters. This time around, you have to pass through me to arrest them because I don’t think there is anything that any of those people following us has done. Rather, they are standing on the side of truth.
“If it will cost us our lives to stand on the part of truth, we will do that. And I will be the one that will lead the course.” Earlier yesterday, the governor in a broadcast ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) to immediately take charge of the LGA Councils henceforth while thanking outgoing LGA Chairmen for their service.
In the course of the day social media had been flooded with videos of people storming various local government council headquarters while shooting could be heard in the background. In Obio Akpor Local Government, which is the council of former governor, Nyesom Wike, irate youths smashed his bust which was located at the entrance of the council.
