Politics

Rivers crisis: Amaewhule-led Assembly directs police to arrest ‘impostor’ caretaker chairmen

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2024

The speaker Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly in Rivers state has called on the police to arrest persons parading themselves as the caretaker committee chairmen of the 23 local government areas in the state.

The lawmakers further asked the police to immediately withdraw their personnel attached to such persons following what they referred to as the refusal of the state Governor Siminialayi Fubara, to dissolve the illegal caretaker committees in obedience to the Supreme Court judgment.

The lawmakers gave the directive after reviewing the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the recent Supreme Court judgment, which granted autonomy to the local government councils, during their 7th legislative sitting.

The resolution of the Amaewhule-led House titled, Public Notice, was signed by the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi Alabor George.

After deliberating on the judgment, the lawmakers drew the attention of the public to the unlawful activities of “the impostors who are still parading themselves as caretaker committee chairmen and members”, in flagrant disobedience to the Supreme Court judgment.

The Amaewhule-led House observed that the “illegal caretakers” were imposing rates and levies on the residents and unduly harassing uninformed members of the public despite the judgment and the provisions of the Rivers State Local Government Amendment Law of 2023.

The lawmakers said the amended local government law forbade such individuals from assuming the positions they had so far occupied.

The House further called on all banks, government at all levels, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), traditional institutions, residents and all stakeholders to stop doing business with “such unelected” individuals.

“They are by this notice further informed not to deal or transact business with these unelected individuals, who want to truncate our hard-earned democracy and are currently in contempt of injunctive orders of the Supreme Court.

“The police and other law-enforcement agencies have also been informed to commence the arrest of these impostors”, the House said.

The lawmakers said their directives were in pursuant to Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which guaranteed a system of local government by democratically elected local government councils and Section. 64(1) of Rivers State Local Government Law number 5 of 2018, which empowers the House to give directives that only those elected should run the affairs of the 23 local government councils in the state.

Politics

INEC postpones nationwide voter revalidation until after 2027 elections

Published

5 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced the postponement of the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise until after the 2027 General Election.

This follows a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, on Friday, April 10.

A statement signed by INEC’s National Commissioner, Chairman, Informationa and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, said

“the voter revalidation exercise is a critical component of the Commission’s mandate to maintain a credible and up-to-date National Register of Voters.

It is designed to verify and review existing voter records, ensure the accuracy of personal data, eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries, and strengthen the overall integrity of the voter register.

The exercise also aims to provide an opportunity for registered voters to confirm their details and make necessary corrections where required.

INEC remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, credible, and inclusive elections.”

Politics

ADC Congress Ideato South: New Leadership Team Emerges

Published

12 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Following the just conducted ADC Congress, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo State, has announced its new leadership team. The team, led by Chairman Hon. Eze Chijioke, includes:

– Chairman: Hon. Eze Chijioke
– Secretary: Chief Duru Maurice
– Youth Leader: Mr. Obinwanne Okwara
– Woman Leader: Mrs. Anueyiagu Ogechi
– Organizing Secretary: Hon. Godian Egemba

The team is expected to lead the party to victory in future elections.

Politics

ADC Owerri Municipal Gets New Chairman: Hon. Success Opara Emerges Amidst State Leadership Tussle

Published

1 day ago

April 9, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, has concluded its Local Government Area Congress, with Hon. Success Opara emerging as the new Chairman. The congress, conducted in all wards across Owerri Municipal, saw party faithfuls voting for Opara, who is expected to lead the party to victory in future elections.

However, there’s an ongoing leadership tussle within the Imo State ADC, with Chief Emmanuel Amushie claiming to be the authentic state chairman, recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). On the other hand, Prof. James Okoroma has also been declared the authentic state chairman by the national leadership of the ADC.

Furthermore the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has removed the faction led by Prof. James Okoroma as the recognized leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Imo State, as of April 9, 2026. INEC recognizes only the Amuchie-led Executive as the lawful and legitimate leadership of the ADC in Imo State.

The removal follows a Court of Appeal ruling directing parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court. INEC has also suspended recognition of all leadership factions of the ADC until the court reaches a final decision.