A recent ruling by a high court in Rivers State has cast doubt on the recognition of Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state, sparking controversy and legal wrangling.
The controversy dates back to 2007 when Omehia assumed office as governor of Rivers State after succeeding Peter Odili on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, his tenure was short-lived as Rotimi Amaechi contested his eligibility, alleging irregularities in the primary election that led to Omehia’s candidacy.
Amaechi’s legal challenge proved successful, with the court declaring him the rightful PDP candidate and subsequently inaugurating him as governor. Amaechi went on to serve two terms in office before being succeeded by Nyesom Wike.
During Wike’s tenure as governor, Omehia was recognized as a former governor of Rivers State. However, this recognition was short-lived as in 2023, Wike reversed his stance and derecognized Omehia as a former governor. Wike further demanded that Omehia refund all pension allowances he had received from the state.
Wike’s decision to revoke Omehia’s recognition as a former governor sparked outrage and led to speculation that it was motivated by Omehia’s involvement in Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign council within the PDP.
In response to Wike’s actions, Omehia took the matter to court, seeking legal recognition as a former governor of Rivers State. The case came to a head when Daketima Kio, the presiding judge, delivered a verdict on Tuesday.
In a significant ruling, Judge Daketima Kio declared that Omehia is not entitled to pension and other benefits as he is not recognized as a former governor of the state. However, the judge also stated that the state government’s demand for Omehia to refund N695 million lacked merit since Omehia did not compel anyone to pay him.
The court’s decision has reignited debate and raised questions about the criteria for recognizing individuals as former governors. It has also highlighted the complexities of legal battles involving political figures and the intricacies of pension entitlements in Nigeria.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case of Celestine Omehia serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in navigating the intersection of politics and the law, and the importance of upholding transparency and accountability in governance.
