Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to charge 23 former local government chairmen in Rivers State, who are loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, with treason.
The lawmakers argue that the former council chairmen’s attempts to retain their positions after the expiration of their three-year tenure is a treasonous act.
The opposition lawmakers, known as G60, made this announcement at a press conference in Abuja after an emergency meeting.
They also praised Fubara and the people of Rivers State for resisting the effort by disgruntled individuals to take control of local government councils in violation of the law.
The group’s spokesperson, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, accused the former local government chairmen of violating several sections of the Criminal Code Act and the Nigerian constitution, which prohibit the unlawful occupation of positions of power or the forcible takeover of government in any part of Nigeria.
Ugochinyere stated:
“We salute the courage of the Rivers State people who came out boldly to protect the local government and foil the attempt to unlawfully seize the institution of governance by the former chairmen.
“This heroic action is in line with section 20 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act that empowers citizens to arrest and foil any criminal act being committed in their presence.”
