The Rivers State High Court has nullified the amendment to the Rivers State Local Government Law by lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, which sought to extend the tenure of current local government chairmen.
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The amendment, passed by the House under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, overrode Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s veto and attempted to modify the 2018 law to allow a six-month extension of the local government chairmen’s tenure if the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission could not conduct elections.
In the case of Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam & 6 Ors. vs. The Governor of Rivers State & Ors. (suit No. PHC/1320/CS/2024), Justice D.G. Kio ruled that the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which aimed to extend the chairmen’s tenure, was invalid.
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The court found it inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, which stipulates a three-year term for local government chairmen and councillors.
The court emphasized that the law governing the situation is the 2018 legislation, not the 2024 amendment, and stated that extending the officials’ tenure was contrary to their oath of office.
