A Rivers State High Court has overturned the six-month extension of the Local Government Chairmen’s tenure in the state by the then State House of Assembly led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
The court, presided by Justice D.G. Kio, declared the Council Chairmen’s tenure extension as invalid, explaining that the Rivers Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which seeks to extend the Chairmen’s terms by six months, conflicts with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
The justice, who ruled on the suit filed by, Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam & 6 Ors, challenging the extension of the tenure of council chairmen, affirmed that the lawful tenure for local government chairmen and councillors remains three years, as stipulated by the 2018 law.
The judge emphasized that the attempt to extend the tenure was not only unlawful but also violated the officials’ oath of office.
Justice D.G Kio of the Port Harcourt High Court has nullified the amended Local Government Law proposed by the Martin Amaewule faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Council Chairmen, pro-Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who is feuding with Governor Siminalayi Fubara have insisted on continuing in office after their tenure expires.
But Fubara, who has made it clear that they no longer have any business presiding over their council areas has requested for the names of local government employees so that the state government pays them directly.