Fubara Suspends Local Govt Caretaker Committee Chairman In Rivers State

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has suspended the Caretaker Committee Chairman for Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Otonye Briggs.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, September 17, by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.

The statement noted that Briggs’ suspension is with immediate effective.

Chukwudi did not, however, give a reason for the suspension.

“The Governor has directed Hon Bitebobo Amiee to immediately take over as chairperson. though specific reasons for the decision were not disclosed.

“Mr Briggs is hereby directed to hand over all council property in his possession to the (new) Caretaker Committee Chairperson,” he said.

Briggs is one of the caretaker chairmen inaugurated by Governor Fubara for the 23 local government areas of the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former elected council officials in the state.

Meanwhile, leaders of the Ogoni and Oyigbo zones in Rivers State are seeking a replacement for incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2027 elections.

Naija News understands that the group converged in the Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday at an event tagged “Ogoni, Oyigbo People’s Assembly.”

The gathering was attended by prominent politicians, most of whom are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Among the attendees were personalities such as Senator Barinada Mpigi, Senator Magnus Abe, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, and Victor Giadom.

As part of their resolution, read by Senator Mpigi, they demanded the Ogoni/Oyigbo governorship slot in 2027 and called for unity and cooperation between the Ogoni and Oyigbo people.

They also called on major political parties to consider Ogoni/Oyigbo candidates for the governorship, while condemning the activities of Governor Fubara.

Senator Mpigi alleged that some political actors were visiting Aso Villa at night to declare their support for President Bola Tinubu and urged them to do so openly during the day.