Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration to manage council affairs until fresh elections are conducted
Breaking: Rivers Governor Fubara Commits to Upholding Supreme Court Judgment
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has pledged to fully comply with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, stating that his administration will implement the judgment without hesitation.
In a move towards compliance, the governor has directed all chairmen who were dismissed from the state’s 23 local government areas to immediately hand over their responsibilities to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs).
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, declared the local government elections held on October 5, 2024, to be invalid. This ruling nullified the elections of 23 chairmen and 319 councillors. The court also recognized Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, along with 26 other lawmakers as the authentic members of the legislature.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court voided the state’s budget and ordered both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to cease any further disbursement of funds to the Rivers State government. This halt will remain in effect until Governor Fubara presents a new budget to the duly recognized House of Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule.
In a broadcast to the state on Sunday, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and instructed the Heads of Local Government Administration to manage council affairs until fresh elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Fubara said: “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.
“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.
“Furthermore, given the outlawing of Caretaker arrangements in the Local Government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Personnel Management 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.
“I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Personnel Management by Monday, 3rd March 2025.”
Fubara said that since its inception, his administration had conducted the affairs of government within the framework of the constitution, due process, and the rule of law.
The governor noted with regrets the trying times the state had been plunged into but urged everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities and be sure that his administration would continue to do everything in meeting their aspirations.
Fubara said: “We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear State.
“Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
“Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
“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.
“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.
“I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgements, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward.” Read More
