Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, promised the people of the state yesterday that he would immediately put the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the state’s ongoing political crisis into effect.
However, following the latest Supreme Court decision gave success to his estranged benefactor and tormentor, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, Fubara prayed for peace in the state, warning that the state might be heading back to difficult times.
But given the situation, the governor has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the 23 local government councils right now, while the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) holds new elections.
Although he disagreed with the ruling, Fubara stated in a statewide broadcast in Port Harcourt yesterday that he was obligated to follow the directives since he leads a law-abiding government.
He emphasized that only when his legal staff has received and examined the ramifications of the ruling will his administration take the required steps.
We are all aware of the recent rulings and statements made by the Supreme Court about some facets of the ongoing political conflicts in our beloved State.
“As a law-abiding government, we are obligated to obey the orders made therein, even if we disagree with the judgments,” he stated.
“We have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our constitution, due process, and rule of law since inception,” the governor emphasized.
Although human error is inevitable, we as a government do not feel that we have intentionally violated the rule of law or the sacred tenets of constitutional governance.
In light of this, I met with my legal team, and they promised to provide me with a certified true copy of the judgments by Friday, March 7, 2025.
After obtaining verified copies of the rulings, Fubara promised to review their implications and put them into effect without hesitation in order to advance the state.
Additionally, since caretaker arrangements are prohibited in the local government system, he stated, “I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils until the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission conducts fresh elections.”
By Monday, March 3, 2025, “I further direct the departing local government chairmen to formally transfer the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration.”
Therefore, Fubara issued a warning: “Even though it appears that our beloved state is once again experiencing difficulties, I implore everyone to maintain composure and carry on with their lawful daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens.”
Fubara and the 27 lawmakers were previously advised by the Rivers State Elders Council to make sure that all essential actions were performed in accordance with their constitutional obligations.
Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, the council’s chairman, thanked the people of Rivers on what he called “well-rounded pronouncements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on Friday, February 28, 2025, on the political crises in the State.”
While awaiting the ultimate decision of the nation’s highest court on all issues, the elders council also praised the people of the State “for their resilience, patience, and peaceful disposition throughout the period of the crises in the State.”
Comrade Timi Frank, a political activist and former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary, has denounced the Supreme Court’s decision to revoke local government funding in Rivers State.
Frank called the decision a “criminal usurpation” of money that should have been the property of the people of Rivers State in a statement released in Abuja on Sunday.
He cautioned in the statement that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), should be held accountable for any disruption brought on by the decision.
The entire world is aware that the Supreme Court’s unlawful ruling against the Rivers State Government is the most dishonest decision ever made in Nigerian history.
“How can the Supreme Court issue a ruling that is so tainted, anti-God, anti-truth, and inhumane as to aid the opposition APC in seizing power in Rivers State?
“This demonstrates unequivocally that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s Supreme Court is incapable of transforming the judiciary and has instead made justice a commodity for the highest bidder,” he claimed.
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