Rivers LG crisis deepens as Amaechi-era chairmen claim reinstatement

• Your political pilgrimage to Akande can’t save you, Osun APC chides Adeleke
• Bode George warns Tinubu against growing threats to democracy
• ‘Reinstatement of Speaker Obasa international embarrassment’

Just as it appeared that a recent Supreme Court ruling had eased the intense struggle for political dominance in Rivers State, 22 local council chairmen elected during the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi yesterday declared themselves the legitimate leaders of the state’s councils.

The group, elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, announced their claim during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, following a Court of Appeal judgement reinstating them to office.

The council chairmen were removed from office in 2015 by a Federal High Court ruling shortly after Governor Nyesom Wike assumed office. However, the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, delivered on February 28, 2025, nullified the 2015 ruling, stating that the chairmen’s election was conducted without any legal impediments.

In their address, Mr Benson Imie, former chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, stated that the court had criticised the Federal High Court for violating the appellants’ right to a fair hearing by refusing to consider motions to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register for the 2015 election.

“The Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court’s judgement, which nullified the May 23, 2015, election, was a breach of our constitutional rights and set it aside,” Imie said.

The chairmen also cited a separate Supreme Court judgement delivered on the same day, which voided the October 5, 2024, council election for contravening Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) laws, creating vacancies in the local councils.

Imie argued that the 2015 elected council officials are the rightful occupants of the vacant positions. “The rightful persons to occupy the vacant positions at the local government councils are the duly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors from 2015, having been judicially recognised after a protracted legal battle,” he said.

Speaking at the briefing, Reginald Ukwoma, former chairman of Etche Local Government Council, stated that the chairmen and councillors would not require another swearing-in, as they had already taken their oaths of office before their removal in 2015.

“We have already been sworn into office. At the moment, we are awaiting the Certified True Copies of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court judgements before resuming office,” Ukwoma said.

The group expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership and support of an independent judiciary, as well as to the judiciary itself for ensuring justice prevailed.

THIS came as the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke for visiting former governor and ex-national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, in a bid to address the crisis surrounding the reinstated council chairmen and councillors in the state.

The party described the visit as an attempt to seek a soft landing, which it said would not succeed. In a statement issued yesterday by the APC’s director of media and information, Kola Olabisi, the party alleged that Adeleke’s visit to Akande’s residence in Ibadan was futile, accusing the governor of attempting to sidestep legal and political processes.

The statement read: “We want to impress upon Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers that Pa Akande is a democrat, and no amount of under-the-table arrangement would make the former governor work against the interest of his party.

“Does Governor Adeleke want Pa Akande to praise him for being instrumental to the killing of chieftains and members of his party?” the statement queried.

The APC further argued that Adeleke should have sought redress at the Supreme Court following the Court of Appeal verdict delivered on February 10, 2025, in Akure. It stated that the governor’s actions, including his alleged role in the violence leading to the deaths of APC members, showed his administration was not committed to upholding democratic principles.

“It does not add up that a governor whose directive resulted in killings across the state could think he could fool the people again through the back door,” the statement continued.

The APC called Adeleke’s visit to Akande “a walkabout” and claimed it demonstrated the governor’s desperation. It challenged him to approach the Supreme Court if he believed his case was genuine.

“Why is Governor Adeleke afraid of approaching the Supreme Court for redress if indeed he is convinced that he has a genuine case?” the party asked.
Adeleke, yesterday, held a two-hour closed-door meeting with Akande at the latter’s residence in Ibadan.

The meeting centred on resolving the leadership crisis affecting local governments in the state and was part of the governor’s efforts to brief key stakeholders on the situation.

Adeleke was accompanied by top members of his cabinet, including the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun; Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bunmi Jenyo; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor announced plans to visit other stakeholders, including the state Council of Traditional Rulers. The statement emphasised Adeleke’s commitment to addressing legal disputes surrounding the local government crisis through the rule of law.

“Governor Adeleke visited elder statesman and former governor of the state, Chief Bisi Akande, to kickstart the briefing programme,” the statement read. “During the meeting, the governor discussed pressing state and national issues and reiterated the importance of stakeholders avoiding self-help to prevent further loss of lives and properties. He also expressed the state’s commitment to working in harmony with the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Adeleke noted that his visit to Akande was a mark of respect and homage. “Our father, we are here to pay homage to you as my predecessor and elder statesman. Your relationship with the Adeleke family dates back to my late father. I chose to begin this consultation with you,” he said.

In response, Akande commended Adeleke for the visit, describing it as a positive step despite political differences. He called for an end to political
violence, urging all parties to uphold the rule of law in resolving disputes.

MEANWHILE, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on President Bola Tinubu to act decisively to prevent despotic elements from derailing Nigeria’s democracy.

In an open letter titled “From Osun to Lagos and Rivers: Darkness Looms,” George expressed alarm over recent events in Osun, Lagos, and Rivers states, describing them as threats to democratic stability and rule of law.

Citing the council crisis in Osun State, George condemned the loss of lives and accused federal authorities of complicating a straightforward legal matter.

“We now have a situation where some people interpret the law to suit their selfish interests,” he said. “This is a dangerous precedent that undermines our democracy.”

George warned against repeating the mistakes of Nigeria’s First and Second Republics, which collapsed due to political instability. “Tinubu should not allow a reenactment of the collapse of these Republics,” he said.

Turning to Lagos State, George criticised the reinstatement of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, calling it “absolute lunacy” and an “international embarrassment.” He questioned the legitimacy of Obasa’s return, given that 36 of 40 Assembly members had impeached him in January.

“Since Obasa’s impeachment, the Lagos State House of Assembly has been turned into a theatre of war, fuelled by extraneous forces,” George said. “Why should this disgraceful behaviour be allowed? Why should the Centre of Excellence be turned into the Centre of Confusion?”

In Rivers State, George highlighted the economic challenges following a court judgment that has left the state without federal allocations, salaries, and infrastructure funding. He described the situation as “a total mess” and a “recipe for chaos.” George urged Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over the interests of a select few, warning that democracy is under threat.