Former Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State, dismissed during Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration in 2015, have announced their intention to reclaim leadership of the local councils across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Benson Imie, the former Chairman of Andoni LGA, made this declaration on behalf of the other former chairpersons during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. He noted that they were initially elected in an election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on May 23, 2015, towards the end of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s tenure. Imie stated that they were removed from office upon Governor Wike’s assumption of leadership.
He referenced a Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, which nullified the situation and invalidated the 2015 local government elections. However, Imie pointed out that an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt overturned this decision on February 28, 2025, affirming that the 2015 elections were conducted lawfully.
Citing Suit No. CA/PH/172/2024 (Hon. Augustine P. NGO & 22 Ors v. Peoples Democratic Party & Ors), Imie explained that the Appeal Court nullified the Federal High Court’s judgment, which was deemed to have infringed upon the appellants’ right to a fair hearing—a right protected under Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). He added that this ruling is supported by a considerable body of case law, reinforcing that the electoral process for the appellants was free from legal obstacles.
Imie asserted that, following the Supreme Court’s recent judgment delivered on October 5, 2024, they are the legitimately elected Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and Councillors of their respective LGAs.
In support of this statement, Reginald Ukwuoma, former Chairman of Etche LGA, remarked that they do not need to be sworn in or take an oath of office again, as this was completed during their initial election in 2015. “At this moment, we will await the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments to determine our timeline for resuming office,” he concluded.
