Court of Appeal Dismisses Appeal On Tenure Elongation for LGA Chairmen.

The Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, has dismissed an appeal seeking to extend the tenure of local government chairmen in Rivers State, citing a lack of merit.

The chairmen’s initial tenure was set to expire on June 17, but a new law passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly aimed to extend their term by six months. However, the Rivers State High Court declared the extension unconstitutional and in violation of the 1999 Constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No. 5 of 2018, which fixes the tenure of Rivers LG chairmen and councillors at three years.

The Court of Appeal’s dismissal of the appeal upholds the High Court’s decision, bringing finality to the matter.