…orders heads of LGAs to take charge of councils
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged full compliance with the Supreme Court’s recent judgment, stating that his administration will implement the ruling without reservations.
As part of the implementation, the governor directed all sacked chairmen of the state’s 23 local government areas to immediately hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs).
Recall that on Friday, February 28, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a ruling delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, declared the October 5, 2024, local government elections invalid, nullifying the emergence of 23 chairmen and 319 councillors.
The court also recognised Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, alongside 26 other lawmakers as the authentic members of the legislature.
Additionally, the apex court voided the state budget and ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to halt further fund disbursement to the Rivers State government until Governor Fubara re-presents the budget before the duly recognized House of Assembly, led by Speaker Amaewhule.
Addressing the state in a broadcast on Sunday, Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law and immediately directed Heads of Local Government Administration to take charge of council affairs pending the conduct of fresh elections 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.”
