New Crisis Hits Rivers State as Sacked 2015 Council Chairmen Fight to Reclaim Office

A new political crisis is unfolding in Rivers State as former Local Government (LG) Chairpersons, who were elected in 2015 but removed by then-Governor Nyesom Wike, have declared their intention to reclaim their positions following a recent court ruling.

Speaking on behalf of the 23 affected LG Chairmen, Benson Imie, former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, made the announcement during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Imie 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, upon assuming office, Wike dismissed them, and a Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, nullified their election.

According to Imie, the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt overturned that decision on February 28, 2025, affirming the validity of the 2015 elections.

He referenced the case CA/PH/172/2024 (Hon. Augustine P. Ngo & 22 Ors v. Peoples Democratic Party & Ors), stating that the Federal High Court’s previous judgment was set aside due to a violation of the appellants’ right to a fair hearing.

“The Appeal Court ruled that our election was without legal encumbrances,” Imie said.

Further fueling the controversy, he argued that last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which nullified the elections of LG Chairmen elected on October 5, 2024, strengthens their claim as the rightful officeholders.

Reginald Ukwuoma, former Chairman of Etche LGA, insisted they do not need to be sworn in again, 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 before deciding when to resume office,” Ukwuoma added.