Opposition federal lawmakers under the aegis of G60 have claimed that Tuesday’s skirmishes in parts of Rivers State were due to attempts by the immediate-past 23 local government chairmen to remain in power illegally beyond their three-year tenure, which expired on June 17.
At an emergency press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the lawmakers accused the former chairmen of attempting to forcefully retain their seats even after their constitutionally mandated tenure expired on Monday, June 17, 2024. The group called for treason charges to be filed against them.
“This was a treasonable act and clear attempt to unlawfully occupy positions of power in breach of the constitution,” said Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the G60, during the press conference. Attendees included Hon. Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna State), Hon. Matthew Nwogu (Imo State), and Hon. Midaila Usman (Borno State).
According to Ugochinyere, the former council chairmen plotted to use Magistrates from neighbouring states to illegally conduct swearing-in ceremonies around 5 am on Tuesday to reinstall themselves, despite their tenures having already lapsed. The group stated that this action violated multiple laws, including sections of the Criminal Code, Police Act, and sections 1 and 23 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibit any persons from attempting to take over government unlawfully.
Ugochinyere praised the courage of Rivers State citizens who resisted the former chairmen’s move and protected local government secretariats. He noted that the people’s actions were permissible under laws that allow citizens to arrest perpetrators caught committing crimes.
“We salute the courage of the Rivers State people who came out boldly to protect the local government and foil the attempt to unlawfully seize the institution of governance by the former chairmen,” he said.
Ugochinyere cited several legal provisions supporting citizen action against the alleged coup attempt. “Section 20 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act empowers citizens to arrest and foil any criminal act being committed in their presence. Section 39 of the Nigeria Police Act of 2020 states that a private person may arrest a suspect in Nigeria who in his presence commits an offence or whom he reasonably suspects of having committed an offence for which the police is entitled to arrest without a warrant,” he explained.
“Section 37 of the Criminal Code Act states that any person who levies war against the State, in order to intimidate or overawe the President or the Governor of a State, is guilty of treason and liable to the punishment of death,” he added.
The G60 lawmakers also commended Governor Siminayi Fubara for upholding the rule of law and allowing the chairmen to complete their full tenures despite “provocative acts” in recent months. They warned that if left unchecked, the alleged coup attempt could ignite another “Wild West” situation, undermining Nigeria’s democracy.
Ugochinyere urged President Bola Tinubu to take action against those behind the alleged plot against constitutionalism. “We need to protect our democracy and ensure that such treasonable acts are not tolerated,” he concluded.
The G60’s stance highlights the critical need for vigilance and adherence to democratic principles in Nigeria’s political landscape.
