Court dismisses suit seeking to extend ex-Rivers LG chairmen’s tenures

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Chidi Lloyd and 20 other former local government chairmen from Rivers State seeking to extend their tenure, which ended on June 16, 2024.

The former chairmen based their case on an amendment to the state’s local government law, allegedly enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

The amendment purportedly extended their tenure by an additional six months.

Delivering the ruling on case number FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit on Friday, stating the claimants lacked the legal standing to pursue the case.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the former chairmen had no lawful basis to remain in office, declaring their continued occupancy of the positions illegal. “The 21 former chairmen ceased to be chairmen at the expiration of their tenures and had no right to protest,” the judge said.

It should be noted that, despite a contentious judgment attempting to halt the process, the Rivers State Government proceeded with local council elections on October 5, 2024. The newly elected chairmen were sworn in the following day, October 6, 2024.