· Directs ousted Chairs to handover March 3rd
· Wike camp plots take over
By Godfrey AKON
In obedience to the Supreme Court ruling sacking the 23 local government elected officials, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Sunday, announced that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, will conduct fresh elections for local government councils.
The governor in a statewide broadcast stated that while his administration disagrees with the court rulings, it remains committed to upholding the rule of law.
He assured that once the certified true copies of the judgments are obtained—expected by Friday, March 7, 2025—his government will study and implement them accordingly.
As an interim measure, Fubara ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the governance of the 23 LGAs, pending fresh elections.
He also directed the outgoing local government chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Fubara noted that his administration disagrees with the verdict of the Supreme Court, “but we are bound are bound to obey 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 humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.”
He further stated that “Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by RSIEC,” Fubara stated.
The governor urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is working to stabilize the situation and continue delivering on its responsibilities.
“Although our dear state seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities,” he said.
Wike camp plots next move
There are indications that the camp of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, are out and about to make things more difficult for the embattled governor.
The Abuja Inquirer learnt that one measure is to frustrate the budget representation before the Martin Ahaemwhule-led State Assembly.
“When the budget is represented, it will meet several roadblocks and frustrate the government to bend backwards which will starve it of funds to prosecute the local government elections creating an opportunity for us to take over,” a chieftain of the Wike camp, who asked not to be named, said.
Wike had earlier hailed the apex court’s ruling, stressing that the decision had effectively ended the reign of impunity in Rivers State.
The announcement comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers State, as various factions await the implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdicts and the scheduling of new local government elections.
