The Rivers State High Court in suit No. PHC/1320/CS/2024 Between Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam & 6 Ors .V The Governor of Rivers State & Ors.by His lordship: Hon. Justice D.G. Kio Ph.D, Judge sitting in High Court Port Harcourt, held that the Local Government law No. 2 of 2024, purporting to extend the tenure of Local Goverment Chairman for 6 months after the expiration of their tenure is invalid as it is inconsistent with the 1999 constitution and section 9 (1) of the Rivers State Local Government law No. 5 of 2018.
The Court further held that the applicable law in the circumstances is the Rivers State Local Government law No. 5 of 2018 that fixed three years tenure for local Government chairmen and councillors and not the local government law No 2 of 2024 which was enacted to unlawfully extend their tenure. It was also held that such extension was contrary to their oath of office.