- Fubara, who said the State has been plunged into tough times by the court ruling, implored residents to go about their businesses peacefully while his government find solutions to the State current conundrum.
The Supreme Court’s ruling on the political crisis bedeviling Nigeria’s oil-rich State of Rivers will be completely implemented “without reservations”, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has disclosed.
Fubara, who made the disclosure in state broadcast on Sunday in Port Harcourt, stated that the implementation of the apex Court verdict would commence after the receipt and careful review of its Certified True Copy (CTC).
Recall that the judgment of the apex court last Friday, ruled that the LG election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
The court also reinstated the Amaewhule-led state assembly and ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to withhold federal allocation to the State.
Reacting to the judgment during the broadcast, Fubara said though he does not agree with the verdict, he is bound to obey the orders as he runs a law-abiding government.
He, however, stated that his administration will take necessary step on the judgment only after his legal team has received and analysed the implications.
Fubara, who said the State has been plunged into tough times by the court ruling, implored residents to go about their businesses peacefully while his government find solutions to the State current conundrum.
He said: “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.”
The governor emphasised that “Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our constitution, due process and rule of law.
“While we are not above mistakes because we are human, we believe that have not, as a government, done anything deliberate 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 the certified true copy of the judgments may be available to them by Friday March 7, 2025,” he said.
Fubara assured that on receipt of the CTC, he would 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 Local Government Administration (HLGA) to immediately takeover the administration of the 23 Local Government Councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission,” he said.
He further directed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025.
“Although, our dear State seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens,” he added.