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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has appointed caretaker committees for the 23 local government areas of Rivers State as he continues his battle with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, for control of the political structure in the oil-rich state.
The appointment came a day after the governor asked administrative heads to temporarily take over council areas from outgoing elected officials whose terms ended Monday.
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Many of the outgoing elected officials were elected when Wike was governor and are loyal to him. They vowed to remain in office, saying the state House of Assembly had extended their term by six months.
In a letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Fubara appointed Chijioke Ihunwo, chairman of the National Youth Council in the state and a vocal critic of Mr Wike, as acting chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, where Mr Wike hails from.
Clerk of the State Assembly GM Gillis-West invited nominees to come forward for screening and confirmation by 8am on Wednesday.
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When contacted, the Rivers State Information Commissioner, Joseph Johnson, confirmed the latest appointments to PREMIUM TIMES.
READ ALSO: Fubara orders outgoing Rivers council chairmen to vacate seats immediately
“Yes, that’s correct,” Johnson said in a brief telephone interview.
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The latest development comes less than 12 hours after police announced they were taking control of all council areas following violence that left two people dead, including a police officer.
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More details later.
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