Following a recent declaration by Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, the Chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government, that he would not be stepping down on June 17, 2024, political tensions in Rivers State are reaching new heights.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
This declaration follows an attempt to prolong local government chairmen’s terms by the State House of Assembly, led by the Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, which directly challenged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, with whom they had been at conflict.
Additionally, the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt ruled that the State House of Assembly’s extension of the local government chairmen’s tenure was ‘unconstitutional and beyond their powers.’ The court stated that the relevant law is the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, which sets a three-year term for Local Government Chairmen and Councillors, not the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which was enacted to unlawfully prolong their terms.
Addressing his supporters, Nwanosike said that since the Governor failed to conduct local government elections, he would remain in his position based on the lawmakers’ directive.
Nwanosike defended the authority of Martins Amaewhule as Speaker, insisting he would stay in office as long as their tenure has been extended.
The LG chairman further warned potential challengers, asserting that the people of Ikwerre are not merely casual observers but serious about their traditional attire and customs.
According to Punch, he said, “Who are you to say Martins Amaewhule is not the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker? If Amaewhule says that because the governor of Rivers State failed in his duty to conduct local government elections…”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Leave a Reply