Former Niger Delta activist, Asari Dokubo, has called on outgoing local government chairmen in Rivers State to vacate their offices peacefully without disturbance.
Dokubo made the call after Sallah visited Governor Siminarai Hubara at his official residence in Port Harcourt on Monday.
He stressed the importance of smooth transition and stability in the state and admonished the youths not to allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians to instigate violence.
Dokubo said: “Only one person can be Governor of Rivers State at a time. There will not be two governors. Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No one can cheat the people of Rivers State to line our pockets. This is not possible.
“The term of the local government expired today. They should go home quietly. If they want to be elected according to the constitution, they should run for re-election. But the Constitution does not provide for the extension of terms. Your position is tied to a term of office. This term has now ended.
“They should not cause unnecessary problems for the people of this state. And I would like to advise the young people: do not allow yourself to be taken advantage of.” “Most of these politicians’ children are not here. And their children have never taken part in protests. They are not like Mandela and his children, or me and my children. Not many have done this, so no one should have the opportunity to take advantage of this situation.
“Most of them were with us. Today they are bigger than us. They have become very rich. They have become very powerful. But should you let them take advantage of you?
Responding to the occupation of some local government council secretariats by young people, Dokubo said: “It is the people who have taken over the local government secretariats.
“We voted for the speaker for a three-year term and no one can say he should stay for more than a second of that term. So the people of Rivers State are exercising people power and we are ready to seize power until the government is ready to conduct elections.”