Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, has openly challenged Governor Siminalayi Fubara, declaring he will not vacate his office upon the end of his tenure on June 16.
In a video message directed at Governor Fubara, Nwanosike announced his intention to remain in office beyond the stipulated date. He justified his decision by citing an extension of tenure enacted by state lawmakers under the leadership of Martin Amaghule.
This extension, according to Nwanosike, was necessary due to the state government’s failure to conduct local government elections.
Nwanosike asserted his commitment to continue serving in his role and warned that the people of Ikwerre Local Government would resist any efforts to remove him from office.
He declared, “Let them come and try to remove me if they dare. The countdown begins—23 more days to go.”
He added, “Who are you to say Martins Amaewhule is not the Rivers House of Assembly Speaker? If Amaewhule says that because the governor of Rivers State failed in his duty to conduct local government elections.
“And that, I, Dr Nwanosike Samuel, whose tenure by the oath of office I took and the certificate of return I was issued when I contested my second tenure election should remain in office. So shall we remain in the office in Rivers State!
“We are sending a message to those who are threatening them to wear their jeans – do like this, don’t do like that. We don’t wear jeans in Ikwere local government. We wear white, we tie wrapper we wear Ogbakata. Come and disobey the law, we will wait for you. The law of Nigeria is the law passed by Martin Amaewhule. If dem born you well, show your face. Thank you.”
