Kenneth Okonkwo Accuses Tinubu of Illegally Shortening Governor Fubara’s Tenure

Nollywood actor and politician, Kenneth Okonkwo, has accused President Bola Tinubu of unlawfully cutting short Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s four-year term through the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.

In a statement released on Saturday via his 𝕏 account, Okonkwo argued that Fubara’s administration should run until November 29, 2027, instead of the scheduled May 29, 2027, to compensate for the six months lost during the emergency period. He urged the governor to take legal action to reclaim the truncated portion of his tenure.

“Gov Fubara was elected to serve a full four-year term from the date of his swearing-in. The illegal declaration of the state of emergency has reduced his term by six months. Fubara has the right to challenge this in court to recover his full tenure,” Okonkwo stated.

Citing Supreme Court precedent, he emphasized that governors are constitutionally entitled to serve four complete years from their inauguration. According to Okonkwo, ending Fubara’s tenure in May 2027 would deprive Rivers residents of six months of democratic governance.

“The Supreme Court has affirmed that a governor’s tenure runs for four years from the day he is sworn in. If Fubara leaves office on May 29, 2027, he would have served only three years and six months. His tenure should rightfully end on November 29, 2027,” he said.


Okonkwo further warned that holding gubernatorial elections in Rivers State before November 29, 2027, would be unconstitutional, setting a dangerous precedent for the country’s democratic processes.

“Any election conducted before the expiration of his tenure on November 29, 2027, is illegal and unconstitutional. Power to govern Rivers State belongs to its people, not to any president or unelected administrator. Rivers must recover the months lost under Tinubu’s government,” he declared.