On March 13, 2024, the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, amended the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and other related matters.
The amendment specifically targeted Section 9, subsections (2), (3), and (4) of the law. The revised provisions empower the House of Assembly, through a resolution, to extend the tenure of elected local government chairpersons and councillors in situations where it is considered impracticable to conduct elections.
Following its passage, the House forwarded the bill to the governor for assent, but he declined.
Determined to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities, the bill was reintroduced by the Majority Leader, Major Jack, and deliberated upon by members. In accordance with Section 100(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered), which grants the House the authority to override the governor’s veto, Speaker Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule put the question to a vote. With a two-thirds majority, the House successfully overrode the governor's veto and enacted the bill into law.
By this action, the lawmakers officially overrode Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s rejection of the bill and ensured the amendment became law.
This amendment aligns with the Supreme Court judgment of July 11, 2024, which affirmed that the House of Assembly has the constitutional right to extend the tenure of local government chairmen by six months. If such an extension is granted, it is not just the tenure being extended but also the mandate of the people.
However, instead of carefully reviewing the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2024 before addressing the public, the Governor—known for his executive rascality and lawlessness—chose to display his ignorance before Nigerians.
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