CRISIS LOOMS AS THREE SETS OF CHAIRMEN WARM UP TO TAKEOVER LG COUNCILS IN RIVERS

CRISIS LOOMS AS THREE SETS OF CHAIRMEN WARM UP TO TAKEOVER LG COUNCILS IN RIVERS

Three sets of ‘chairmen’ are said to be warming up to take over power at the 23 local council headquarters in Rivers State by today, Monday, March 3, 2025.

Already, heads of local government administration in the 23 LGAs have been ordered to take over authorities pending fresh election.

This is as the 2015 local council chairmen (known as Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi men) have won a case in the Court of Appeal upholding their tenure. They were sacked by Nyesom Wike, who just became governor in May 2015.

At the same time, the Wike boys (2024 elongation chairmen) who secured tenure elongation from the Wike-backed Martin Amaewhule House of Assembly are said to warm up to take over the councils to enforce their term elongation because Amaewhule has been recognized by the Supreme Court probably with any law they made.

Gov Sim Fubara who thinks heads of local council administration should take over gave the order Sunday, March 2, 2025, and said it is in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling last Friday, February 28, 2025.

The governor who said last Friday he was studying the rulings said the Heads should hold power till fresh election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

Gov Fubara, who gave the directive in a broadcast in Government House, Port Harcourt Sunday evening, explained that the measure became imperative as a result of the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system in Nigeria.

The governor said that although his administration disagrees with the judgments, it is bound to obey the orders made therein by the court as a law-abiding government.

He further said, “We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear State.

“Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process, and the rule of law.

“While we are not above mistakes because we are humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.

“Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgements may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.

“I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgments, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward.”

The governor regretted that with the pronouncements of the court, the State appears to be back in trying times, but quickly called on the people and residents of the State to remain calm, and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities while the government continues to do everything in its powers to advance good governance to the citizens.

Meanwhile, what appears to be some complication appeared February 28, 2025, when the Court of Appeal nullified the removal of the 23 LGA chairman elected under then governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi by the next governor, Nyesom Wike.

The Court of Appeal thus effectively restored their mandate by holding that the Lambo Akambi judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, which removed the elected council officials, lacked jurisdiction to proceed with the matter without first resolving the challenge to his jurisdiction.

The Appeal Court, in a unanimous judgment, also frowned at the Federal High Court which denied the 2015 elected chairmen and councilors fair hearing, despite their application to join and be heard as interested parties during the pendency of the matter in the trial court.

According to the court, “Failure of the trial judge to join interested parties (2015 elected LGA officials) is the gross violation of section 36 of the constitution”.

The Court of Appeal also expressed disapproval at the FHC’s decision to reopen the matter and to order their removal, after it earlier adjourned sine die due to a pending joinder appeal before the court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal justices finally held that the appeal by Augustine NGO and 22 others, representing the 2015 elected Rivers local government council officials, is upheld.

By this, the 2015 chairmen have a legitimate claim to the council seats. The Wike boys who secured a term elongation are also warming up to take over the councils.

Signals in various quarters indicate possibility of a showdown today, Monday, March 3, 2025.