Gov. Fubara’s Tenure Must End November 2027, Not May – Kenneth Okonkwo

Veteran actor and Labour Party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has faulted the recent state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, describing it as unconstitutional and a deliberate attempt to truncate Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s four-year mandate.

In a strongly worded statement on Saturday, Okonkwo argued that Governor Fubara, who was sworn into office in May 2023, is constitutionally entitled to serve a full four-year term. According to him, the six months lost due to what he described as an “illegal state of emergency declaration” must be restored.

“Gov. Fubara was elected to serve for four years from the date of being sworn in. The illegal declaration of the state of emergency has reduced his term of office illegally by six months. Fubara has the right to challenge this illegal declaration in court, with a view to recovering his six months,” Okonkwo stated.

He cited a Supreme Court ruling which affirmed that a governor’s tenure must run for a full four years from the day of swearing-in, stressing that any election held before the expiration of Fubara’s adjusted tenure would be unconstitutional.

“This was how we got the staggered electoral system in our elections. If Fubara leaves office on May 29, 2027, he would have served for only three years and six months. His tenure should be due to end on the 29th day of November, 2027,” he added.

Okonkwo maintained that conducting a gubernatorial election before November 29, 2027 would amount to a subversion of the people’s will. He further accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of attempting to undermine democratic governance in Rivers State.

“This will send a conclusive message to every future President that his action cannot terminate or shorten the will of the people as expressed through elections. Power to govern Rivers State belongs to Rivers people, not to any President or his unelected Sole Administrator. Rivers State must recover all the months that the Tinubu’s cankerworm government has wasted for them,” he declared.