Ex-chairmen of 21 of the 23 local government councils have promised to return to their positions as of tomorrow in response to the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the political unrest in Rivers State.This audacious action came after a contentious extension of their terms that sparked discussions throughout the area.According to The Leadership, in a video that has gone viral, the former Ikwerre Local Government Area chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, stated their intention to take back their roles.
The state legislature, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, granted a six-month tenure extension, which he used as the foundation for their decision.Nwanosike confidently stated, “My name is Dr. Nwanosike Samuel, chairman of Ikwerre local government of Rivers State. By the judgement of the Supreme Court, I am still the chairman of the LGA because the Rivers State House of Assembly extended our tenure by six months.
”His remarks have sparked debates regarding the political and legal ramifications of this impasse. Other former chairmen were not available for comment, and neither phone calls nor WhatsApp messages were answered.Back in April 2024, the Amaewhule-led Assembly used Section 9(2) of the Rivers State Local Government Law 2024 to extend the previous chairmen’s tenure by six months.
The House overrode Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto of this bill, making it possible for the legislature to prolong the terms of these elected officials till new elections could be conducted.In response, Fubara created caretaker committees on June 19, 2024, to oversee the councils following the expiration of the initial terms. Local governments were governed by these temporary bodies until the governor appointed newly elected chairmen and councilors on October 7, 2024.
