Nollywood actor and Labour Party chieftain, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of unlawfully depriving Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of his full constitutional four-year tenure through the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.
In a statement released on Saturday via his 𝕏 account, Okonkwo argued that Governor Fubara’s administration should extend until November 29, 2027, instead of ending on May 29, 2027, to compensate for the six months lost during the emergency rule.
“Governor 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 Supreme Court precedents, noting that the apex court had ruled that governors must complete four full years from their swearing-in date. According to him, ending Fubara’s tenure in May 2027 would effectively mean he served only three years and six months, thereby shortchanging the people of Rivers State.
“The Supreme Court has held that the tenure of a Governor must complete four years from the day he was sworn in. This was how we got the staggered electoral system in our elections. If Fubara leaves office on May 29, 2027, he served for only three years and six months. His tenure should be due to end on the 29th day of November, 2027,” he argued.
Okonkwo further warned that conducting gubernatorial elections in Rivers State before November 29, 2027, would be unconstitutional and could set a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Any conduct of gubernatorial election before the expiration of his tenure on the 29th day of November 2027 should be deemed illegal and unconstitutional. 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,” he declared.
He concluded by insisting that Rivers State must recover the months lost under what he described as the “Tinubu cankerworm government.”
