…says attempt by the Amaewule- led House of Assembly to amend the Local Government Law contrary to their oath of office.
By Ken Chiwendu
Justice D.G Kio of the Port Harcourt High Court has nullified the amended Local Government Law proposed by the Martin Amaewule faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Ruling on a suit marked PHC/1320/ CS/ 2024 filed by Enyiada Cookey -Gam and six others who challenged the extension of tenure, the presiding Judge declared that the amendment is of no effect as it is not consistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
The court clarified that the extant law governing the tenure of the Local Government Chairmen stipulates a three – year tenure and that the attempt to extend their tenure through the enactment of the Local Government Law No.2 of 2024 was unlawful and contrary to their oath of office..