Samuel Nwanosike, the former chairman of the Ikwerre Local Government Area, has accused Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara of seeking an interim injunction to instigate a crisis in Rivers State by going to a state high court that lacks jurisdiction.
During an interview on TVC's Political Stand Point show, he took issue with Governor Siminalayi Fubara's recent decision to remove 23 local government chairmen and install caretakers in their place. He maintained that this action is a clear breach of the current court order.
He underlined that the ruling by Justice Omotosho expressly prohibits these kinds of appointments. He emphasized that the decision upholds the legislation passed by the Assembly, which is chaired by Martins Amaewhule and is the highest authority in the state.
Nwanosike asserted that this court ruling requires elected individuals, not caregivers selected by appointment, to lead local governments.
Governor Fubara sparked controversy when he chose to install caretaker committees in place of local government chairmen.
There has been a great deal of opposition to this judgment, with many claiming that it disregarded the rule of law and threatened democratic values.
In Nwanosike's words, ''The judgment of Justice Omotosho says that you must conduct local government elections. The judgment of Justice Omotosho says that you must not have a caretaker in local government."
"He also said that the laws made by the Martins Amaewhule Assembly are the main laws of Rivers State. How then are we impeached as local government chairmen?"
"This judgment that was given by Justice Omotosho has been given since January 24th, and the governor did not appeal it from January until May."
"The governor went to a state high court that has no jurisdiction to get an interim injunction to create a crisis in Rivers State.''
You can watch the footage here from 14:51 minutes.