Fresh Crisis Engulfs Rivers State As Council Chairmen Sacked By Ex-Governor Wike In 2015 Vow To Reclaim Office
Benson Imie, former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, announced this on behalf of the 23 affected LG Chairmen during a press briefing in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday.
Afresh political crisis is brewing in Rivers State after the former Local Government (LG) Chairpersons, who were elected in 2015 but sacked by then-Governor Nyesom Wike, have declared their intention to reclaim their positions following a recent court ruling.
Benson Imie, former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, announced this on behalf of the 23 affected LG Chairmen during a press briefing in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday.
He recalled that they were elected on May 23, 2015, in an election conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) during the final days of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration.
However, Wike dismissed them upon assuming office, and a Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, nullified the election.
According to Imie, an Appeal Court in Port Harcourt overturned this decision on February 28, 2025, ruling that the 2015 elections were valid.
He cited the case CA/PH/172/2024 (Hon. Augustine P. Ngo & 22 Ors v. Peoples Democratic Party & Ors), stating that the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment was set aside due to a breach of the appellants’ right to fair hearing.
“The Appeal Court ruled that our election was without legal encumbrances,” Imie said.
Adding to the controversy, he argued that last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which sacked the LG Chairmen elected in the controversial October 5, 2024 elections, reinforces their claim as the rightful officeholders.
Reginald Ukwuoma, former Chairman of Etche LGA, asserted that they do not require a fresh swearing-in ceremony, as they had already taken their oaths in 2015.
“We will wait to receive the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments, then decide when to resume office,” Ukwuoma added.
