“Prepare Your Handover Notes This Weekend,” Ugochinyere Tells Rivers LG Chairmen

Federal lawmaker and constitutional lawyer, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has advised Rivers State Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen to prepare their handover notes this weekend, as their tenure is set to expire on Monday. He emphasized that the upcoming Supreme Court judgment on Local Government autonomy will not extend their tenure.

In a statement on Friday, Ugochinyere reiterated that the tenure of the current Rivers State LG Chairmen ends in a few days, and no court can lawfully extend it. He praised Governor Similanayi Fubara for maintaining democratic principles by allowing the LG Chairmen to complete their three-year terms despite facing various challenges.

“The tenure of the present local government in Rivers state is ending soon, and Governor Fubara has allowed the local government system to function democratically. He didn’t dissolve them even when there were issues with his predecessor, allowing them to serve until their term expires on the 17th,” Ugochinyere stated.

He warned that any outgoing chairman attempting to remain in office beyond their term should be arrested. Ugochinyere dismissed any notion that the Supreme Court’s ruling on LG autonomy would affect the tenure of the current chairmen.

“The Supreme Court judgment concerns the autonomy of local governments, not the extension of outgoing chairmen’s tenure. Their term ends soon, and a fresh local government election will follow. Any attempt to extend their stay is undemocratic,” Ugochinyere concluded.