Former Local Govt Chairmen In Rivers State Vow To Return To Power Following Court Rulings

At a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, the chairmen, their deputies, and councillors expressed confidence in their imminent return to power, citing an Appeal Court judgment that invalidated their sacking by the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike in 2015. They asserted that they were the rightful leaders of the local governments, as confirmed by the court’s decision.

It was recalled that on May 23, 2015, the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted local government elections at the tail end of the administration of then-Governor Chibuike Amaechi. However, upon assuming office, Governor Wike’s administration dismissed all the elected chairmen and councillors.

In response, the Federal High Court issued a judgment on July 9, 2015, nullifying the 2015 local government elections. Yet, a decade later, on February 28, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt overturned this decision, ruling that the election had been conducted properly and without legal encumbrances.

Speaking on behalf of the former chairmen, Hon. Benson Imie, who was the elected Chairman of Andoni LGA, emphasized that following the judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the rightful persons to take over the local government administration in Rivers State were those who were elected in 2015.

Imie explained, “It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division has set aside the July 9, 2015, judgment of the Federal High Court which nullified the Local Government Council election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on May 23, 2015.” He further highlighted that the Appeal Court found the election was conducted without any legal issues, citing a violation of the appellants’ right to a fair hearing.

Imie further pointed out that the Supreme Court’s ruling, which on the same day of the Appeal Court decision sacked all the council chairmen elected on October 5, 2024, for breaching RSIEC laws, created vacancies across the local governments in the state. As a result, the former chairmen, vice-chairmen, and councillors elected in 2015 were now the rightful officeholders, having been judicially recognized by the Court of Appeal after a long legal battle.

Reginald Ukwoma, the elected Chairman of Etche LGA, reinforced this stance, asserting that the elected officials did not need to take an oath of office again. “We don’t need swearing in again. We have been sworn into office, and we cannot take another oath of office. For now, we will wait to receive the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments, and then we will know when to resume office,” Ukwoma stated.

The former chairmen’s public declaration follows the legal recognition of their original election, and they are now poised to reclaim their positions and oversee local government affairs in Rivers State.