Rivers Assembly pass LGA Amendment Bill into law without Gov. Fubara’s approval
The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the Local Government (Amendment) Bill into law, even though Governor Siminalayi Fubara has refused to grant his approval.
The legislative action took place on March 13th, when the assembly made changes to Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and other relevant issues.
The change explicitly targets Section 9, notably subsections (2), (3), and (4) of the statute.
These modifications grant the assembly the authority to prolong the term of office for elected chairpersons of local government areas (LGAs) and councillors.
When it becomes impractical to hold elections before the end of their three-year term in office, the assembly implements this extension.
The main objective is to guarantee that local government area (LGA) elections are held prior to the completion of the current administration’s mandate.
Despite the interim injunction granted by the Rivers High Court in Port Harcourt, which ordered the assembly to preserve the existing situation regarding the extension of elected Local Government Area (LGA) officials’ terms, the legislature went ahead and approved the amendment bill as a law on April 22. Major Jack, the majority leader, presented the measure to the House.
The Rivers Assembly has already overruled the governor’s decision on many occasions. Previously, they also ignored Governor Fubara’s rejection of other legislation.
They are unwavering in their dedication to taking legislative measures.
By Nnaemeka Odenigbo
