Inibehe Effiong, a well-known attorney, has raised concerns about the potential implications of prolonging the term of local government councils in Rivers State. He argued that such a decision could establish a risky precedent, enabling the National Assembly to unilaterally modify the constitution to extend President Tinubu's tenure or their own terms.
Effiong stressed that once elected officials take office, their tenure should remain unchanged, and any legislative changes should only apply to future terms, not retroactively. He cautioned against altering constitutional provisions, warning that it could undermine democratic principles and open the door to potential abuses of power.
( Photo credit : Arise Television Official Facebook Page )
During an interview on Arise Television, he remarked, "Once they're elected and they subscribe to the oath, that cannot be changed because if you change it for them, it means that the national assembly today can amend the constitution and extend President Tinubu's tenure, and can even amend the constitution and change their own tenure. You cannot do that, and even if you're to do that, like we are having a discussion now, on a single term of six years for the president and governor, it can only be prospective."
Click on the link below and watch the video starting from 22:47 minute mark
https://youtu.be/ET8kd0VYgJ8?si=FDH1a_CMiby7SImM