Rivers State: Former LG Chairmen Sacked by Ex Gov Wike Seek to Reclaim Offices After Court Ruling

A fresh political crisis is unfolding in Rivers State following a recent court ruling that has reignited the claims of 23 former Local Government Chairmen ousted by former Governor Nyesom Wike in 2015. In a press briefing on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Benson Imie, the former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, announced that the former officials were determined to reclaim their positions.

The legal battle dates back to 2015 when the chairmen were dismissed by Wike shortly after he assumed office. A Federal High Court ruling on July 9, 2015, had nullified the election that brought them into power. However, the tables have turned following a ruling by the Appeal Court in Port Harcourt on February 28, 2025, which declared the 2015 elections valid and upheld the chairmen’s claims.

Imie, speaking on behalf of the affected chairmen, referred to the case **CA/PH/172/2024 (Hon. Augustine P. Ngo & 22 Ors v. Peoples Democratic Party & Ors)** and explained that the Appeal Court had overturned the earlier Federal High Court decision due to a breach of the appellants’ right to a fair hearing.

“The Appeal Court ruled that our election was without legal encumbrances,” Imie said, reinforcing the legitimacy of their mandate.

The former chairmen’s path to reclaiming office gained further momentum after a Supreme Court ruling last Friday, which annulled the controversial October 5, 2024, local government elections. The ruling has added weight to their argument that they are the rightful officeholders.

Reginald Ukwuoma, the former Chairman of Etche Local Government Area, was adamant that no new swearing-in ceremony would be necessary, as the officials had already taken their oaths in 2015.

“We will wait to receive the Certified True Copies of the Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments, and then decide when to resume office,” Ukwuoma said.

The dispute traces back to the May 23, 2015, local government elections, which were conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) during the final days of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration. The elections have been surrounded by controversy ever since, with the recent legal rulings now providing a renewed sense of hope for the ousted chairmen.