Following the Supreme Court decision that nullified the October 5, 2024 Local Government election in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, on Sunday, directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs), to take immediate control of the 23 local government councils across the state.
In a statewide broadcast, Governor Fubara also directed civil servants to oversee the affairs of the councils until fresh elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.
The Governor also instructed the outgoing chairmen to formally hand over to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025 (tomorrow).
As fears spiked about the roiling political uncertainties in the state, Fubara appealed to citizens to remain calm, assuring that his administration is resolutely committed to delivering good governance and follow due process.
Expressing his commitment to the rule of law and constitutional order, Fubara said he had met with his legal team and he expects them to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) by Friday, March 7, 2025.
He pledged to implement every article of the Supreme Court verdict after critically reviewing the CTC.
Apart from nullifying the election into the local councils, the Supreme Court, in another judgment on Friday, also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.
In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Here is the full text of Governor Fubara’s Broadcast:
STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025, ON THE RECENT JUDGMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
1. My dear people of Rivers State, we are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear State.
2. Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
3. Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
4. While we are not above mistakes because we are humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
5. Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgments may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.
6. I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgments, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward.
7. Furthermore, given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
8. I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3rd March 2025.
9. Although our dear State seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens.
10. Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.