A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Hon Innocent Ajaelu, has expressed confidence that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will not assent to the Local Government Law recently amended by the State House of Assembly.
The House of Assembly recently amended the Local Government Law making it possible for the House, through a resolution to extend the tenure of chairmen and councillors.
Also, recently, the legislators vetoed four bills which they passed into law but was not assented to by the governor.
Ajaelu, who spoke with LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt yesterday, described the amendment of the Local Government Law as undemocratic, uncivilised and uncultured exercise.
He said, “Let me say I am very disappointed in the so-called House of Assembly members. By the position of the law as at today, they are former House of Assembly members. It is very unfortunate that they are not representing the people that voted them in. They are just representing a particular interest and that is all.
“So, there is no law that they will amend or feel they will amend that will see the test of time.
They have lost touch with people. Where on earth has it happened? Where are they referencing from?
“Let them tell me that they referenced it from Lagos State or Abia State that when the tenure of local government chairmen ends and if there is no election, that the House of Assembly has right to extend their tenure. Are we in Banana Republic?
“As long as I am concerned, that amendment is not for the interest and development of Rivers people. That amendment is for those 26-committee of friends.
“I am very sure that governor of the state will not append his signature to such undemocratic, uncivilized and uncultured kind of amendment that those committee of friends are making there. They are not representing anybody; they are representing themselves,” he said.
