Political turmoil is brewing in Rivers State following a defiant declaration by Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, who has vowed not to vacate his office on June 17, 2024, despite the expiration of his tenure.
The tenure of chairmen across the 23 local government areas in Rivers State is set to end on June 17, 2024. However, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, passed the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Bill on March 13, 2024, which extended the tenure of the council chairmen.
Contrarily, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt nullified this tenure extension on Tuesday, ruling that it was inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No. 5 of 2018.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Dr. Nwanosike, in a viral video, declared his refusal to step down from office. Addressing his supporters, he asserted that the law enacted by the Amaewhule-led Assembly stands and accused the state governor of failing to conduct local government elections.
“If the Speaker of the Assembly says that because the governor of the state failed in his duty to conduct local government elections, I, Samuel Nwanosike, should remain in office, so shall we stay in the office. We are waiting for you. Come and disobey the law; the law is the one passed by Martins. If they born you well, show your face,” Nwanosike boldly proclaimed.
This defiance has set the stage for potential conflict, as the state grapples with legal and political challenges over the governance of its local councils.
