Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, has stated that he will remain in office after his term ends next month. Nwanosike, who appears in a now-viral video, was addressing his supporters at an Ikwerre celebration. He stated that the change to the law passed by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly constitutes Nigerian law.

He declared, “If Martin Amaewhule says that because the Governor of Rivers State failed in his duty to conduct Local Government elections, and that I, Dr Nwanosike Samuel Osoruchi, by the oath of office I took and the certificate of return I was issued when I contested my second tenure election, that we should remain in office, so shall we remain in office!”

This comes despite a Court ruling that annulled the Local Government Amendment law, which the Rivers Assembly had vetoed, giving itself the authority to prolong the tenures of Local Government Chairman if the Governor fails to hold Council elections.

The Chairmen of Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, however, had gone to Court to have the law repealed because they had no desire to serve beyond their terms. Last Monday, Justice Diaketima Kio ruled that such an extension was unlawful and hence not binding.

Nwanosike, on the other hand, appeared to threaten anyone interested in taking over his job at the end of his tenure, stating, “If dem born you well, show your face and let me see”. This latest development raises concerns about a potential breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich state as a result of the political feud between Governor Fubara and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

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