Fubara should seek legal redress over tenure disruption, says Kenneth Okonkwo

Kenneth Okonkwo, ex-Labour Party chieftain, has advised Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, to seek legal redress over the disruption of his four-year tenure. 

On September 17, President Bola Tinubu lifted the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state in the wake of a protracted political crisis.

Fubara, who had been serving a suspension alongside his deputy and members of the Rivers assembly for the duration of the emergency rule, returned to office on September 19.

Speaking on Monday on ‘Sunrise Daily’, a Channels Television breakfast programme, Okonkwo said the governor reserves the right to seek the extension of his tenure because the supreme court affirmed in its previous judgments that the tenure of a governor is for a period of four years. 

“This has nothing to do with antagonising whoever declared a state of emergency. It has something to do with the constitutional provision that he (Fubara) was elected by Rivers people to serve them for four years, and the four years have been interpreted by the supreme court to be sacrosanct,” he said. 

Okonkwo argued that six months have been “illegally” and “brutally” taken away from Fubara’s four-year stint. 

“The constitution is very clear in section 180 (2) that the term of office of a governor is four years. So, the governor vacates his seat after four years from the day he was sworn in,” he said. 

“He has the right to seek redress at the supreme court so that the six months will be added to him. As a matter of fact, when you declare a state of emergency, you ought to shift elections by six months.” 

The public affairs analyst questioned the rationale behind the emergency rule ab initio, saying there was no breakdown of law and order in the state. 

“What we had was a political logjam. The constitution made it clear that the breakdown of law and order that will require a state of emergency is such that requires extraordinary measures in order to restore peace and security,” he added. 

“What was it in Rivers state that required extraordinary measures? Five hundred persons were roasted in Benue but the president did not think there was a need for extraordinary measures in that state.”

Upon return to Rivers government house, Fubara said in a state broadcast that he resisted pressure to challenge the emergency rule declaration.