The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt has made a decisive ruling on two appeals filed by local government chairmen aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, marking a significant legal outcome.

The appeals, identified as CA/PH/137M/2024 and CA/PH/145M/2024, were brought forth by Enyiada Cookey-Gam and six others challenging a High Court decision regarding the extension of their tenure.

In its verdict delivered on Monday, the appellate court dismissed the appeals as lacking merit and subsequently struck them out.

According to Daily Post, this ruling effectively confirms the conclusion of the disputed tenures, which had been mired in legal contention.

Meanwhile, Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), clarified on Friday that the current tenure of local government chairmen is scheduled to end in 2026.

The rulings by the Court of Appeal emerge against the backdrop of ongoing political dynamics in Rivers State, where issues surrounding leadership and governance have been prominent.