Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed Heads of Administration in the 23 local government areas to take over from the elected council chairmen whose three-year tenure elapsed at midnight on Monday.
Governor Fubara gave the directive during a State broadcast on Tuesday morning.
He said the decision is in line with the provision of the constitution, and the need to ensure peace and order in the state.
The governor then appreciated the efforts and dedication of the immediate past council chairmen to public services.
Meanwhile, two LGA chairmen in the State have announced their willingness to leave office in line with the Local Government Law of 2018.
They are the first female council chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, and the Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro, from the LGA of Governor Fubara.
Both Claude-Wilcox and the Enyiada Cookeygam of Opobo/Nkoro, had challenged the extension of the tenure of local government chairmen by the Martin Amaewhule Lee assembly in court.
Reports said the now-former council chairmen urged their colleagues in other LGAs to respect the position of the law and exit office peacefully.
The development comes as the Chairmen of Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru Local Government Councils, Rowland Sekibo and Onengiyeofori George, on Monday, appealed for a calm and peaceful resolution over the tenure elongation of the chairmen.
The dispute over the end of the LGAs tenure, took a new turn on Monday in Akulga and Asalga, as protesters barricaded the council premises demanding a handover by the chairmen whose three-year tenure is set to expire on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
The two LG chiefs said that their tenure extension was duly approved by the Martins Amaewhule-led State Assembly, and urged supporters to exercise restraint and avoid violence.
Sekibo, who spoke on their behalf, whilst calling for calm, emphasised that the matter is before the court.
“Everyone should exercise restraint, no matter the provocation. The matter is already in court.
“Those who want to be caretaker chairmen, just endure; those who want to be council chairmen, just endure. We are already at the Court of Appeal. It won’t take long again for judgment. Whichever way the case goes, it will go to the Supreme Court,” Sekibo appealed.
They urged law enforcement agents, to ensure no breakdown of law and order, stating that no one has a monopoly on violence.