Tension In Rivers As LG Chairmen Elected Under Amaechi Seek Reinstatement The chairmen, who were removed shortly after Nyesom Wike took office as governor in 2015, revealed the Supreme Court’s nullification of the October 5, 2024, local government election has created a vacuum, which they are legally entitled to fill.
Speaking at the press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area and leader of the group, Imie Benson, accentuated that the Court of Appeal had earlier set aside the July 9, 2015, judgment of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which initially invalidated their election.
Benson elaborated that the Appeal Court’s governing, delivered on February 28, 2025, in Appeal Number CA/PH/172/2024, publicized that their removal was the violation of fair hearing and due process.
“The Court of Appeal found that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Lambo Akanbi, refused to hear and determine our motions for joinder, violating our right to fair hearing,” he revealed.
According to him, the court faulted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other respondents for failing to dispute the appeal, leaving their case unchallenged.
Benson argued that because the Supreme Court on February 28, 2025, nullified the October 5, 2024, local government election, the 2015 voted chairmen endure the legally recognized council leaders.
He stated, “At the time of the Appeal Court’s judgment, there were no vacancies at the local government councils. However, with the Supreme Court’s decision removing the October 5, 2024, council chairmen, we—the duly voted chairmen of 2015—are the rightful persons to take over.”
Benson insisted that the lawful recognition of the 2015 voted chairmen and councilors after years of legal battles upholds their immediate reinstatement.
The most recent demand by the 2015 voted council chairmen further complicates the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, where multiple factions are laying purport to leadership at the local government level.
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Tag: Tension In Rivers As LG Chairmen Elected Under Amaechi Seek Reinstatement
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Published 3/4/2025