Former APC Council Chairmen seek reinstatement in Rivers State amidst Political turmoil

The political crisis in Rivers State has escalated as 22 local government chairmen, elected under the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, have declared their intention to reclaim their offices.

These chairmen, elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, assert their legitimacy, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling that they believe reinstates them.

The dispute originated in 2015 when a Federal High Court nullified their elections, leading to their removal after Nyesom Wike assumed governorship. Since then, they have engaged in a legal battle with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to regain their mandates.

In a media address in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the chairmen stated that the recent appellate court ruling has restored their positions, and they are prepared to resume control of the 22 local government areas.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Benson Imie, former chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, explained that the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt ruled in their favor on Friday, February 28, 2025. He stated that the appellate court overturned the 2015 Federal High Court judgment that had initially nullified their election.

According to Imie, the Court of Appeal determined that their removal violated their right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed under Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution. The court also ruled that their election was conducted without legal impediments.

Imie emphasized that this legal victory means they are the rightful occupants of the local government offices. He noted that, at the time of the Appeal Court’s ruling, the council positions were not vacant, which prevented the court from issuing direct reinstatement orders.

Coincidentally, on the same day, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court nullified the election of council chairmen installed on October 5, 2024, ruling that their election violated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) laws.

Imie argued that this sequence of events has created a power vacuum in the 22 affected local government areas. He asserted that, since their removal in 2015 was deemed unlawful by the Appeal Court, they should be allowed to resume their tenure.

Reginald Ukwoma, former chairman of Etche Local Government Area, clarified that they do not require a fresh swearing-in ceremony.

Ukwoma stated, “We don’t need swearing in again. We have been sworn into office, we cannot take another oath of office. At the moment, we will wait to receive the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court judgements. Then, we will know when to resume office.”