Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, has assured the people that his government is committed to upholding constitutional principles and will act in accordance with the law, and his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).
This followed the Friday judgment of the apex court, which declared the Local Governments election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
In a statement, Fubara revealed that he has met with his legal team, who expect to obtain the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025, while civil servants would oversee affairs od councils until fresh elections are conducted by the State Electoral Commission.
Meanwhile, the Governor has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate control of the 23-Local Government Councils across the state, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that nullified the October 5, 2023, local government elections.
He also instructed the outgoing Chairmen to formally hand over to the HLGAs by Monday (tomorrow), and urged residents to remain calm and assured them that his administration remains committed to governance and due process.
The Supreme Court, in another judgment on Friday, 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.
