Rivers: Fubara pledges full compliance with supreme court orders, directs LG chairmen to step down

As the Supreme Court delivered two landmark judgments impacting his administration, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has declared his commitment to full compliance with the court’s directives.

In a statewide broadcast, Fubara acknowledged the rulings, stating that his legal team expects to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgments by Friday, March 7, 2025, after which he will take necessary actions.

Among the directives, Fubara ordered the 23 local government chairmen—whose elections were voided—to vacate office immediately, handing over to their respective heads of personnel management.

The Supreme Court’s decisions, delivered by Justice Akomaye Agim and Justice Jamilu Tukur, recognized the Martins Amaewhule-led 26-member House of Assembly and nullified the October 5, 2024, local government elections, which produced 23 chairmen and 319 councillors.

Additionally, the court invalidated the Rivers State budget, instructing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation to halt fund releases until the budget is re-presented to the Amaewhule-led Assembly.

Fubara reassured residents that his administration remains committed to due process and the rule of law.

“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.

To ensure continuity in local governance, he directed heads of personnel management to oversee the 23 local government areas until fresh elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

“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.”