Fubara Pledges Full Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling Amid Political Shake-Up in Rivers
Fubara Pledges Full Compliance with Supreme Court Ruling Amid Political Shake-Up in Rivers
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced his commitment to fully implement the Supreme Court’s recent rulings, which have reshaped the state’s political landscape. Speaking in a broadcast, Fubara assured residents that his administration would obey the court orders once the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgments is received by Friday, March 7.
In a decisive move, he directed the 23 local government chairmen, whose elections were declared invalid by the court, to vacate office immediately and hand over to heads of personnel management. “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 stated.
The Supreme Court, in two separate judgments delivered on Friday, ruled in favor of the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly while also nullifying the October 5, 2024, local government elections that produced 23 council chairmen and 319 councillors. Additionally, the court invalidated the state budget and instructed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to halt funding to the state until the budget is re-presented before the newly recognized House of Assembly.
Fubara acknowledged the political turbulence in the state but urged citizens to remain calm. “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,” he said.
The Rivers State Elders Council (RSEC) has called on Fubara and Speaker Amaewhule to put their differences aside and work together in the state’s best interest. In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, the elders described both leaders as belonging to the same political family and urged them to prioritize governance. “Now that the Supreme Court has spoken unequivocally on all the matters, we believe strongly that nothing now stands in the way of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, and Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, working together in the best interest of the state and her people,” the statement read.
The elders also commended the people of Rivers State for their patience and peaceful conduct throughout the political crisis, expressing optimism that the Supreme Court’s verdict would pave the way for lasting stability.
One Comment