The political crisis in Rivers State over the tenure of local government chairmen continues to escalate. In a recent development, hundreds of youths in Rivers State marched in support of the State Police Command for occupying the 23 local government secretariats in the state. The secretariats have been occupied by police personnel for about a week due to protests by youths against council chairmen who refused to vacate office after their tenures expired. The National Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Rivers state chapter led the march and praised the police for preventing hoodlums from vandalizing the facilities. They urged the police to remain in the secretariats until the Appeal Court makes a decision on the state political matters. The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, assured the youths that the police would continue to protect lives and properties and maintain law and order in the state.
In Delta State, the State Orientation Bureau has called on eligible voters to come out en masse to cast their votes for chairmanship and Councillorship candidates in the upcoming local government council elections on July 13. The Bureau emphasized the need for peaceful conduct during the elections and urged political parties, stakeholders, and candidates to appeal to their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully. The Bureau also urged youths to shun violence and engage in productive ventures. The State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has assured stakeholders that the elections will be conducted transparently and free and fair. The State Orientation Bureau Chief described the governor as a core Democrat and a visionary leader [0b335af8].
Former presidential spokesperson Dr Doyin Okupe has stated that the leadership crisis in Rivers State requires a political solution. He emphasized the need for all parties involved to engage in dialogue and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis [0b335af8].
Furthermore, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) have directed their members to mobilize for a nationwide protest due to the breakdown of dialogue between the Ministers of Education and Labour and the Joint Action Committee of the two unions [0b335af8].
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that it is unconstitutional for state governors to withhold funds designated for local government administrations, guaranteeing autonomy for local government councils. This landmark ruling comes after years of intense debate over the autonomy of local government councils in Nigeria [22152730].
Former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, praises recent Supreme Court judgment as historic decision that will enhance grassroots democracy in Nigeria. The ruling restructures the local government system and mandates the prudent management of the 20.6% Federal Revenue Allocation for local government councils. Okechukwu commends the Justices of the Supreme Court and President Tinubu for their perseverance in securing autonomy for local government councils. He calls on stakeholders to ensure funds are utilized effectively and urges Nigerians to monitor federal allocations to local government councils. The judgment upholds Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution, guaranteeing a democratically elected local government system. Okechukwu highlights the past 25 years of alleged electoral malpractices and mismanagement of local government funds by 'Emperor-Governors' that stifled grassroots development. He commends Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi for his legal efforts and believes the judgment marks a significant step towards genuine grassroots democracy under President Bola Tinubu's leadership [226b94cf].
The founder of Love of Christ Generation Church, Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi, stated that Nigeria will be a better place with improved security and economy following the Supreme Court's decision to grant financial autonomy to the Local government. She made this statement during a rally in Abuja, where she also mentioned that the Lord has promised to birth a new Nigeria and that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration has taken steps to promote development at the third tier of government. The Apex Court's landmark judgment granted full autonomy to the Local government administration, stating that it was illegal for state governors to receive or hold funds belonging to the local government administration. Reverend Mother Esther also called for synergy amongst all Christian denominations and criticized discrimination against believers who attend white garment churches [0b6b3b9d].