Former militant leader and Niger Delta activist, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has advised local government chairmen in Rivers State to accept the end of their three-year tenure and vacate their positions quietly. This follows a recent court ruling that nullified the six-month tenure extension granted by the Rivers State House of Assembly. The court declared that the extension was unconstitutional and violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and existing state laws
The Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Daketima Gabriel Kio, ruled that the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which attempted to extend the tenure of the local government chairmen, was invalid. The court upheld that the lawful tenure for local government chairmen and councilors remains three years, as specified in the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018. This decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by Enyiada Cookey-Gam and other local government chairmen against the state governor and other officials
The court’s ruling is a significant legal victory for the plaintiffs and underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional and statutory provisions against legislative and executive overreach. The judgment has effectively put an end to any attempts by the Rivers State House of Assembly to prolong the tenure of local government officials beyond the stipulated three years
Asari Dokubo’s call for the local government chairmen to accept the court’s decision highlights the importance of respecting judicial rulings and maintaining political stability. His stance reflects broader concerns about governance and the rule of law in the region, emphasizing the need for political actors to adhere to legal frameworks and avoid actions that could lead to constitutional crises
