The tenure of local government chairmen, their deputies, and councillors in Rivers State is set to expire on Monday, but the affected officials are refusing to vacate their offices. This decision has sparked tension across the state, with fears of a potential breakdown of law and order.
According to the Nation News, despite the court ruling declaring the tenure elongation law unconstitutional, some chairmen insist on remaining in office, citing the amended law. Dr. Iraatus Awoto, Legal Adviser of ALGON and Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, stated, “We as local government chairmen will remain in office because the law as amended by the Rivers State House of Assembly says so. That law has given us an additional six months, and we will remain in office after the expiration.”
The state government has maintained that the chairmen must vacate office after June 17. The Commissioner for Information, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, described the chairmen’s stance as “a mirage” and “a fluke,” stating that the Constitution prohibits retrospective laws. He emphasized that the present elected officials cannot benefit from any tenure extension law made after they were elected to serve for only three years.
This has led to a political showdown between the state government and the affected chairmen, with the latter accusing the government of attempting to install caretaker committees in their place.
The outcome of this crisis remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the people of Rivers State are bracing themselves for a potentially volatile situation.
