The political landscape in Rivers State has been thrown into fresh turmoil as chairmen elected in 2015 have vowed to reclaim their positions following a Court of Appeal ruling that overturned their removal from office.
The appellate court, in its judgment delivered on February 28, 2025, nullified a previous ruling by the Federal High Court that had sacked the 22 local government chairmen. The court ruled that their removal was a violation of their right to fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
2015 Chairmen Declare Themselves Rightful Occupants
Benson Imie, former chairman of Andoni LGA, speaking on behalf of the reinstated chairmen, stated that with both the Appeal Court and Supreme Court decisions, the rightful occupants of the local government councils were those elected in 2015.
“At the time of the judgment, there were no vacancies in the councils, which prevented the Appeal Court from issuing consequential orders. However, on the same day, the Supreme Court sacked the council chairmen elected on October 5, 2024, for violating RSIEC laws. This means there are now vacancies, and the duly elected 2015 chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors should resume office,” Imie asserted.
No Need for Fresh Swearing-in, Says Ukwoma
Reginald Ukwoma, former chairman of Etche LGA, emphasized that they do not require a fresh swearing-in ceremony, as they had already taken the oath of office before being removed in 2015.
“We have been sworn in before; there is no need to do it again. Once we receive the Certified True Copies of the court judgments, we will determine when to resume office,” Ukwoma stated.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
The 22 chairmen were initially elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) towards the end of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration in 2014 but were removed from office in 2015 when Nyesom Wike assumed office as governor. Their legal battle against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has spanned nearly a decade, culminating in the recent Appeal Court ruling that overturned their ousting.
With tensions escalating, the next steps remain uncertain, but the prospect of the 2015 chairmen reclaiming their offices is likely to spark a new phase of political conflict in the state.
