Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has suspended Otonye Briggs, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, effective immediately. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Nelson Chukwudi, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor. However, the reason for Briggs’ suspension was not disclosed.

Briggs has been directed to hand over all council properties to the newly appointed chairperson, Hon. Bitebobo Amiee. The suspension comes just three months after Fubara inaugurated caretaker committee chairpersons for the 23 local government areas, following the end of the former elected council officials’ three-year terms.

This move has intensified ongoing political tensions between supporters of Governor Fubara and those of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister. The violence, which erupted when the former council chairmen, backed by Wike, refused to vacate office, led to the deaths of two individuals, including a police officer. As a result, the police took over the 23 council secretariats, and Briggs had not operated from his official office since his appointment.