The amended Local Government Law proposed by the Martins Amaewhule faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been invalidated by the Rivers State High Court.
The lawmakers who were loyalists of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had proposed an extension of tenure for LG chairmen for six months after the expiration of their term without the consent of the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
While ruling on a suit numbered PHC/1320/CS/2024, Justice D.G. Kio declared the amendment invalid, citing its inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government law No. 5 of 2018.
The court emphasized that the applicable law governing the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors is the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, which stipulates a three-year tenure.
The attempt to extend their tenure by enacting the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 was deemed unlawful and contrary to their oath of office
