The Martins Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the State’s Local Government Amendment Bill into Law, despite the refusal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to give his assent.
On March 13, the Rivers assembly amended the “Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and other matters connected thereto”.
The house sent the bill to the governor for his assent but he declined.
Section 9 subsections (2), (3) and (4) of the law were amended by the lawmakers.
The amendment empowers the House of Assembly via resolution to extend the tenure of elected chairpersons of LGAs and councillors, where it is considered impracticable to hold elections before the expiration of their three-year term in office.
The Rivers assembly said the amendment is to ensure that LGA elections are conducted before the expiration of the outgoing administration.
On April 16, the Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, issued an interim injunction directing the House of Assembly to maintain the status quo on the move to extend the tenure of elected LGA officials.
The order was a sequel to a suit filed by Enyiada Cooky-Gam, executive chairman of Opobo-Nkoro LGA, and eight other elected council officials.
The court fixed April 22, to hear the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
However, despite the court order, the Rivers assembly on Monday passed the LGA amendment bill into law.
The bill was reintroduced to the house by the Majority Leader of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, Major Jack, (representing Akuku/Toru) constituency 1.
A statement made available to newsmen said the bill was thoroughly debated by members.
This is not the first time the Rivers assembly will override the decision of the state governor.
In January, the Rivers assembly overrode the decision of Fubara not to assent to four bills earlier passed by the lawmakers.
In March, the assembly again overrode Fubara on the passage of some bills.
The Amaewhule-led lawmakers also screened and confirmed nominees for the positions of chairman and members of the Assembly Service Commission.
The confirmed nominees include Sampson Worlu as chairman, along with Abinye Blessing Pepple, Blessing Belema Derefaka, Gbaranen Robinson and Madam Dorcas Amos as members.
The Amaewhule-led Assembly is making moves to ensure that Fubara conducts local government elections before the expiration of his tenure.
The governor is yet to make any official statement about the LG election.
