Former Local Government Chairmen in Rivers State, who were removed from office in 2015 during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have declared their intention to reclaim control of the local government councils. This development follows a recent court decision that overturned a previous ruling against them.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow chairmen in Port Harcourt, the state capital, former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Benson Imie, stated that they were originally elected through an election organized by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) on May 23, 2015, near the end of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s tenure.
Imie recounted that shortly after assuming office, Governor Wike dismissed them. Subsequently, a Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, nullified the matter and invalidated the 2015 local government elections. However, after a decade-long legal battle, the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt, on February 28, 2025, reversed the Federal High Court’s decision. The Appeal Court ruled that the 2015 election was conducted without any irregularities.
The former chairmen argue that the latest judgment reinstates their legitimacy as elected officials. Imie emphasized that the earlier dismissal was based on a breach of their right to fair hearing, which has now been addressed by the higher court’s decision. With this new ruling, the ex-chairmen are determined to resume their roles in the 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
