Rivers assembly overrides Fubara, passes LG amendment bill into law

The Rivers house of assembly has passed the local government amendment bill into law despite the refusal of Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, 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 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 presented to the house by Major Jack, the majority leader.

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.