In a landmark ruling, the Rivers State High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice D.G. Kio Ph.D, has declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024, which sought to extend the tenure of Local Government Chairmen by six months, as invalid and unconstitutional.
The court, in suit No. PHC/1320/CS/2024, between Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam & 6 Ors. vs. The Governor of Rivers State & Ors., held that the law is inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution and Section 9(1) of the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018.
According to the court, the applicable law is the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018, which fixes a three-year tenure for Local Government Chairmen and Councillors. The court also held that the extension of tenure was contrary to the oath of office taken by the officials.
This ruling has significant implications for local government administration in Rivers State and may have far-reaching consequences for similar laws in other states.