The 22 chairmen elected on the banner of Action Peoples Party, APP, and one on the platform of Action Alliance, were sworn-in on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara said at the ceremony that with the local election over, the focus has now shifted to transforming democracy and the delivery of democratic dividends.
He asserted that those who attempted to destroy the local government system in Rivers have failed woefully.
“The truth remains, desperate situations require desperate measures. We were confronted with a situation where the local government system in this state was heading to doom.
“And because of the genuine love we have for this state, we must salvage the local government election.
“What we did, with the support of Rivers people, was to salvage the local government councils, and to the glory of God, that has been done and dusted,” he added.
Governor Fubara said with the elections over, his administration will not deploy any form of undemocratic ways to confront anybody, but use peaceful methods to ensure that the assets of Rivers State are protected.
“We will assure the Federal Government that we are not going to be party to anything leading to breakdown of law and order in this state.
“This is because if there is breakdown of law and order in this state, Nigeria will suffer, and we are not going to be party to it. That is the reason why our standard, in terms of maturity, was high.”
The governor charged the local councils chairmen to remain connected with the people, and emulate his approach to peace by being more patient with all people and situations.
“For the newly sworn-in Chairmen, I want you to see yourselves as servants. Once you see yourself as emperor, that is where the problem begins. Once you see yourself as the one who knows it all because of the power of the fund available to you, that is where you will start seeing crisis.
“But see this opportunity as a call to service. It is an opportunity for you to bring people together and to deliver to the people of Rivers state. We need development in the 23 local government areas.”
