Osinbajo steps into Rivers LG crisis

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has met with stakeholders in the Rivers State council crisis with a view to resolving the impasse over court orders and rulings on the May 25 council poll.

A source in the Presidency, said the vice president demanded copies of the courts’ orders and rulings to properly study them and decide on the way forward.

The caretaker committee chairmen and members inaugurated by Governor Nyesom Wike on July 9 have taken over the 22 of 23 local government areas after policemen allowed them access to the secretariats.

But, in Port Harcourt yesterday, the 23 elected councils’ chairmen, who belonging to the All Progressives Council (APC) and led by Chimbiko Iche Akarolo of Port Harcourt City Council, also met with the leadership of the party behind closed doors.

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, presided by Justice Lambo Akanbi, had on July 9, dissolved the 22 councils for allegedly disobeying his order. But the chairmen immediately filed a motion for stay of execution of the ruling at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt.

Also, Justice John Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court (NIC) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on June 22, gave an order restraining Wike from dissolving 22 of the 23 councils, while further hearing on the suit was adjourned till October 6.

Read also: PDP alleges plot by FG to destabilise Rivers

The order, which will remain in force until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, restrained Rivers governor, the state House of Assembly, the state Attorney-General and their agents from dissolving, suspending, sacking, terminating or in any manner whatsoever interfering with the tenure of office of the 23 local councils chairmen.

The order also restrained the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) or his agents and privies from enforcing any purported action detrimental to the existence of the 23 chairmen and councillors. The order was duly served on all parties, including the police boss.

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