DR Samuel Nwanosike, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, has dared Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that he will not leave office at the end of his tenure on 16 June 2024.
In a video address to the state governor, Nwanosike declared his intention to remain in office beyond the scheduled date, citing a tenure extension by state lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule due to the state government’s failure to conduct local government elections.
Nwanosike asserted that he would continue in his role and warned that the people of Ikwerre local government would resist any attempt to remove him from office. He boldly declared, “Let them come and try to remove me if they dare. The countdown begins – 23 more days to go.”
He further stated, “Who are you to question Martins Amaewhule’s authority as the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker? If Amaewhule says so, it’s because the governor of Rivers State failed to conduct local government elections. As I, Dr Samuel Nwanosike took an oath of office and received a certificate of return when I contested my second tenure election, I should remain in office. So shall we remain in office in Rivers State!”
Nwanosike sent a message to those threatening him, saying, “We don’t wear jeans in Ikwerre local government; we wear white, tie wrappers, and wear Ogbakata. Come and disobey the law, and we will wait for you. The law of Nigeria is the law passed by Martin Amaewhule. If you have the courage, show your face.”
Meanwhile, Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that Justice D. G. Kio of a Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt earlier in the week declared the Local Government Law No.2 Of 2024 which extended the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors by six months after the expiration of their tenure as invalid.
The court held that the law was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No 5 of 2018 which fixed three years for local government chairmen and councillors.
In suit number PHC/1320/CS/2024, a case instituted by Enyiada Cookey-Gam & 6 Ors vs. The Governor of Rivers State & Ors, the court held that the lawful tenure for local government chairmen and councillors remained three years as stipulated by the 2018 law, saying any attempt to extend the tenure is unlawful, and violates the officials’ oath of office.
The Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly had, following the expiration of the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen and councillors, extended their tenure by another six months. However, the governor, Sir Sim Fubara was vetoed following his refusal to append his signature to the law.
The attempt to extend the tenure of council chairman and councillors through the enactment of Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 was deemed unlawful and contrary to their oath of office.
The ruling marks a victory for Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others who challenged the extension, asserting the primacy of constitutional principles in governance.
Eighteen-Eleven Media