In the aftermath of recent Supreme Court rulings concerning Rivers State’s political landscape, a looming crisis threatens to disrupt governance stability.
Former chairmen from 21 out of 23 local government areas in Rivers State have declared their intent to resume office starting Monday, March 3, 2025.
This decision follows the Supreme Court’s judgments and the purported extension of their tenure by the Martins Amaewhule-led legislature.
Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, former chairman of Ikwerre local government area, asserted their legitimacy in a widely circulated social media video.
“By the judgment of the Supreme Court, I remain the chairman of Ikwerre LGA,” Nwanosike emphasized, citing the legislative extension of their tenure by six months.
Efforts to reach out to other former chairmen for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and WhatsApp messages to them went unanswered.
The legislative move to extend their tenure was grounded on Section 9(2) of the Rivers State Local Government Law 2024, despite Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s refusal to assent to the law.
The legislation was vetoed by the House, granting an extension to the tenure of the last democratically elected chairmen until new elections are conducted.
Governor Fubara had earlier appointed caretaker committees on June 19, 2024, to oversee the local government areas following the expiration of the former chairmen’s initial tenure.
This arrangement persisted until October 7, 2024, when newly elected chairmen and councillors were sworn in to assume office.