A group of concerned citizens has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to unlawfully extend the tenure of Rivers Local Government chairmen.
The Guardians of Democracy (GuD) expressed concern over the alleged plot in a statement on Tuesday, where they also asserted that the LG chairmen are conspiring to obtain an injunction.
Recall that a court judgment nullified the Local Government Amendment Law, which the Rivers Assembly had vetoed the governor to enact, granting themselves powers to extend the tenures of the chairmen if the governor failed to conduct council elections.
With their tenure poised to expire next month, the Guardians of Democracy disclosed that certain chairmen have discreetly approached the Federal High Court Abuja to secure an injunction, allowing them to persist in their roles.
In a statement endorsed by its coordinator, Dr Abbey Adamu, the group further warned that any attempts to prolong the tenure of the chairmen without adhering to due process would not only undermine the democratic process but also precipitate political instability and unrest in Rivers.
Consequently, they urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe this matter and impose appropriate sanctions where warranted, emphasizing that the judiciary must remain impartial and impervious to political manipulation or personal interests.
The statement read, “Regrettably for governance, these outgoing local government chairmen are attempting to prolong their tenure in Rivers State, evidently to perpetuate their embezzlement of public funds.
“This prompts the question: where else in the world has anyone overstayed their welcome in office?
“We implore the NJC to promptly disavow these agents of discord before they besmirch the judiciary’s integrity. The credibility of our judiciary and the trajectory of our democracy hinge on individual actions.
“GuD hereby cautions that Nigerians will not stand passively while the integrity of our judiciary is compromised at the expense of our democracy’s future.
“Should the judiciary persist in issuing frivolous rulings, we are prepared to mobilize ceaseless protests against any judge or judicial officer implicated in such malpractice, including occupying the offending courts and NJC premises.
“We shall also leverage our protests to alert international bodies and the global community to this anomaly, advocating for sanctions against any individual found culpable.”
Rivers Crisis: Group warns against extending tenure of LG chairmen