By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT—WHAT appeared a political twist in the politics of Rivers State played itself up last night as the
Chairman, Okrika Local Government; Hon Tamunokro Oba resigned his position as Chairman of the Council.  It is not
clear why he resigned but there were speculations that the governor gave him till 6.00pm to resign or be sacked.

There were speculations that the action of the Chairman would not be unconnected with the incident of Tuesday at
Okrika where the first lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan scolded the state governor over his plan to pull down some
structures around a Model school project being built by the government in Okrika so as to create a descent space for
learning.

The former Council boss who is a first cousin of the first lady did not state any reason for the resignation.

When Vanguard sought from the Commissioner of Information, Mrs Ibim Seminatari if the resignation had anything to do
with the incident at Okrika between the first lady of the country and governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi she said she
was not aware. She said she issued the statement on the resignation after the Chairman had made it known to
government that he had resigned.

When prodded further, she said she was aware the governor was upset that the former Council boss held a reception
for the visiting first lady without his knowledge.  According to her, as Chief security officer of the state, the
governor should have been told of the planned reception. “Truly the governor is the Chief security officer of the
state. If he was going to hold a reception he should have told the governor about it. What if anything had happened
at the event” she queried.

Continuing, she said the governor was upset with the action of the former Council boss but he did not direct him to
resign.