By FOLLOWING the Supreme Court judgement on Friday, 28 February, nullifying the local government election in Rivers State held on 5 October 2024, the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the 23 local government chairmen to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration in their respective councils.
Governor Fubara, who issued the directive on Sunday in a short state-wide address, stated that, in line with the law prohibiting the use of caretaker committees to administer the third tier of government in Nigeria, the Heads of Local Government Administration, being the most senior officials in the councils, should oversee their affairs until the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) conducts fresh elections.
Supreme Court of Nigeria
Regarding the implementation of other orders made by the Supreme Court, the governor stated that his legal team had applied for the certified true copy of the judgment.
He assured that they would receive the document on 7 March 2025, and, after studying it, he would implement the court’s decisions accordingly.
In the brief broadcast, Fubara stated:
“We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgment and pronouncements regarding the lingering political dispute in our dear state.
“Although we disagree with the judgment, we are bound to abide by the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
“Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our constitution, due process, and the rule of law.
“While we are not above mistakes because we are human, we believe we have not, as a government, deliberately acted to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
“Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that a certified true copy of the judgment may be available to them by Friday, 7 March 2025.
“I assure you that upon receipt of the certified judgment, we shall study its ramifications and implement them without delay to move the state forward.
“I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3 March 2025.
“I urge everyone to remain calm and to peacefully go about their legitimate businesses as we continue to fulfil our responsibilities to the citizens.”
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court, while delivering judgments on some of the several cases related to the lingering political crisis in Rivers State, issued similar orders, including the nullification of the local government elections conducted on 5 October 2024.
The Apex Court also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to halt the release of monthly allocations to the state.
Furthermore, it ordered Martin Amaewhula and the 26 other members of the state assembly to resume legislative activities without further delay, among other directives.
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