Fubara succumbs & agrees to conduct fresh Local government elections after supreme court ruling…directs all council chairmen to handover
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s recent verdict after reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).
The Supreme Court, in a ruling on Friday, nullified the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.
In response, Governor Fubara, during a state broadcast on Sunday, stated that he has consulted with his legal team, who expect to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025.
Reaffirming his commitment to upholding the rule of law, Fubara directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the 23 local government councils.
This move follows the court’s ruling that invalidated the tenure of the outgoing local government chairmen.
He further instructed the outgoing chairmen to formally hand over to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Amid political uncertainties in the state, the governor urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is committed to governance and due process.
In a separate ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court barred the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant General of the Federation from releasing funds to the Rivers State Government until it complies with previous court orders.
Additionally, the court dismissed Governor Fubara’s appeal against the legitimacy of the House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, and ordered the Assembly to resume sitting immediately.
Governor Fubara, in his statewide address, reiterated his administration’s resolve to abide by constitutional principles and move the state forward.
Read Full Speech Of Fubara’s Broadcast Below: 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.
