APP hails court judgment affirming expiration of tenure of ex-Rivers LGA chairmen

A frontline Nigerian opposition party, the Action People’s Party (APP), has appealed the Appeal Court Judgement affirming the of tenure of Rivers former local government councils chairmen. The APP in a reaction to the appellate courts decision, said it was a victory for democracy and Rivers people who stand to suffer the adverse effect if […]

A frontline Nigerian opposition party, the Action People’s Party (APP), has appealed the Appeal Court Judgement affirming the of tenure of Rivers former local government councils chairmen.

The APP in a reaction to the appellate courts decision, said it was a victory for democracy and Rivers people who stand to suffer the adverse effect if the ruling went otherwise.

In statement signed by its Deputy Publicity Secretary, Emeka Uwazurike, the opposition party said the verdict further smoothened the part for the October 5, Rivers State Local Government Councils Elections.

The party reiterated that it was already gearing up to participate in the forthcoming local government polls in the South/South state with the full conviction of winning, saying APP has already made forms free to young and female aspirants which would seek its tickets to contest the election.

“We hail the Appeal Court decision which upheld the earlier decision of the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt, that nullified tenure extension for the chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the state.

“The Appeal Court’s ruling which concurred with the Rivers State High Court, Port Harcourt declaration that the Local Government Law No.2 of 2024, which extended the tenure of local government chairmen by six months after the expiration of their tenure as invalid was quite appropriate.

“Just as the Appeal Court upheld, the law was inconsistent with the 1999 constitution and Section 9 (1) of Rivers State Law No 5 of 2018 which fixed three years for local government chairmen and councilors.

“We view this judgement as a victory for democracy and the people of Rivers State who can now democratically elect their council leaders at the October 5, 2024 Local Government election as announced by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) last Monday.

“We as a party, this judgment has further spurred us to go ahead with our resolve to participate in the election with the firm hope of emerging victorious and contributing to governance at the third tier of government while preparing for the general election, come 2027.

“Already, the party had decided to issue forms free to youths and female aspirants who will be seeking our ticket to contest for the October 5, Rivers State Local Government Councils Elections in line with our resolve to champion women and youth inclusion as well as their participation in politics which had being hindered by financial encumbrances in other parties.”