A legal professional and leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may face a reduction of his constitutionally guaranteed four-year term by six months if he vacates his position on May 29, 2027.
Okonkwo’s comments are a reaction to the six-month state of emergency announced by President Bola Tinubu, during which Governor Fubara was temporarily suspended from his duties, and retired naval officer Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as the administrator to manage the state’s affairs.
As per Okonkwo, Governor Fubara possesses the legal authority to pursue judicial recourse to recover the six months lost during the emergency period, contending that this duration should be appended to his term to adhere to constitutional mandates.
He asserted that Governor Fubara’s term should legitimately conclude on November 29, 2027, consistent with the Supreme Court’s interpretation that a governor’s four-year term is inviolable and must not be shortened.
“This is not about opposing whoever declared the state of emergency; it pertains to the constitutional provision that he was elected by the people of Rivers to serve them for four years, and the Supreme Court has interpreted that four years to be inviolable, which is why we had staggered elections,” Okonkwo remarked.
“Currently, his six months have been unlawfully and harshly taken from him without justification. This implies that the Rivers people have been deprived of the four years that the constitution guarantees them to be served by a governor.
“The constitution explicitly states in section 180 subsection 2 that the term of office is four years; the governor vacates his position four years from the date of his inauguration. Therefore, if he departs on May 29, 2027, he will not have completed a full four-year term.
“I assert that Fubara is constitutionally entitled to seek redress regarding his term in office, and the people of Rivers have the right to be represented by Fubara for a full four years, as that is what they voted for. Therefore, in my view and understanding, his term should conclude on November 29, 2027.”
Following a political crisis involving Fubara, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, President Bola Tinubu suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and the state lawmakers for a period of six months.
On Wednesday, President Tinubu declared the conclusion of the six-month emergency rule in Rivers.
