Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area in Rivers State, has declared his refusal to vacate office on June 16, the scheduled end of his tenure.
This defiance comes despite directives from the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, demanding that he step down.
In a viral video released on Thursday, Nwanosike directly challenged Governor Fubara, stating his intention to remain in office. He justified his stance by citing a tenure extension granted by state lawmakers under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule. The extension, he claims, is due to the state government’s failure to conduct local government elections.
“Let them come and try to remove me if they dare. The countdown begins—23 more days to go,” Nwanosike said in the two-minute video. He stated that his continued tenure is supported by the lawmakers’ directive and warned that the people of Ikwerre LG would resist any attempt to unseat him.
Nwanosike also questioned the authority of those challenging Martin Amaewhule’s position as the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker. “Who are you to say Martin Amaewhule is not the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker? If Amaewhule declares that the governor’s failure to conduct local government elections means I should remain in office, then I will stay in office. This is the law in Rivers State,” he stated.
