The Abuja division of the Federal High Court has struck out a suit filed by Chidi Lloyd and 20 other former Rivers council chairmen which sought to extend their tenure after it elapsed on June 16th 2024.The former chairmen had gone to court seeking to extend their constitutional three-year tenure after it expired based on an amendment to the local government law by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly which purportedly elongated their tenures for another six months.

Ruling on the matter with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/537/2024, Justice James Omotosho, dismissed the case citing a lack of locus standi. The judge, in his decision, held that the former chairmen had no legal right to remain in office declaring their continued stay in office illegal.

Justice Omotosho ruled that the 21 former chairmen ceased to be chairmen at the expiration of their tenures and had no right to protest. Recall that despite a controversial judgement trying to stop it, the Rivers state government conducted council elections on the 5th of October 2024 and swore in the newly elected chairmen on the 6th of October, 2024.