The long-standing political crisis in Rivers State has taken a dramatic turn as elected Local Government Chairmen, who were sacked in 2015 by the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have vowed to reclaim their offices following a decisive Court of Appeal judgment.
The embattled chairmen, along with their deputies and councillors, gathered in Port Harcourt on Tuesday to declare their intent to resume administration of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. Their renewed push for reinstatement comes in the wake of the Appeal Court’s ruling, which invalidated their removal from office, marking a significant legal victory in a battle that has spanned nearly a decade.
The crisis traces its roots to May 23, 2015, when the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducted local government elections during the twilight of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s tenure. Shortly after assuming office, Wike sacked all 23 chairmen and councillors elected in that process, citing irregularities.
A Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, subsequently nullified the election, declaring it void. However, after a protracted legal struggle, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt upturned the lower court’s decision on February 28, 2025, affirming that the 2015 elections were conducted without legal impediments.
Speaking on behalf of the reinstated officials, Hon. Benson Imie, former Chairman of Andoni LGA, declared that the recent Supreme Court verdict—which sacked all council chairmen elected in the controversial October 5, 2024, LG polls—created a vacuum that only the legally recognized 2015 chairmen could fill.
“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 elections conducted by RSIEC on May 23, 2015,” Imie stated.
He emphasized that the Appeal Court’s ruling was anchored on the principle of fair hearing, a fundamental right enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“In light of the foregoing, the rightful persons to occupy the vacant positions in the Local Government Councils are those who were duly elected in 2015 and have now been judicially recognized after a prolonged legal battle,” Imie asserted.
Adding weight to the call for reinstatement, Reginald Ukwoma, the elected chairman of Etche LGA, maintained that they would not require fresh inauguration, as they had already taken the oath of office before their removal in 2015.
“We don’t need swearing-in again. We have been sworn into office; we cannot take another oath. At the moment, we are waiting to receive the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments. Once that is done, we will determine when to resume office,” Ukwoma affirmed.
The latest development sets the stage for a potential power struggle in Rivers State, as the reinstated chairmen seek to reclaim their mandates. Whether the state government will comply with the court ruling or resist the move remains to be seen, but political analysts warn that this could trigger another round of legal and administrative battles.
With the Supreme Court’s verdict effectively rendering the 2024 LG elections void, and the Appeal Court affirming the legitimacy of the 2015 chairmen, Rivers State may be on the brink of yet another turbulent political episode.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on the state government’s next move—will it uphold the court’s ruling, or will another legal confrontation ensue?
PIONEER NEWS 