Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that although his administration disagrees with the Supreme Court’s rulings that resolved the ongoing political disputes in the state, it is committed to upholding the law and will comply with the court’s orders.
The governor emphasized that while humans are not infallible, his administration has not intentionally undermined the rule of law or the core principles of constitutional governance.
Governor Fubara made these remarks during a statewide broadcast from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.
He said, “Since the beginning of our tenure, we have diligently conducted the affairs of government within the boundaries of the Constitution, adhering to due process and the rule of law.”
The governor expressed regret that the Supreme Court’s decisions have placed the state in challenging times, but he urged residents and citizens to remain calm and continue their daily activities peacefully. He assured that the government would persist in its efforts to foster good governance for the benefit of all.
“We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and the decisions regarding various aspects of the lingering political disputes in our state. While we may disagree with the outcomes, as a law-abiding government, we are bound to respect and implement the court’s orders,” he said.
Governor Fubara further disclosed that he had met with his legal team, who assured him that the certified true copies of the judgments should be available by Friday, March 7, 2025. “Once we receive the certified judgments, we will thoroughly analyze their implications and act accordingly to ensure the continued progress of our state,” he assured.
In light of the recent developments, the governor ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate charge of the 23 local government councils, pending the conduct of new elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
He directed that all outgoing local government chairmen formally hand over their responsibilities to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
The governor explained that this action was necessary due to the abolition of caretaker arrangements in local government structures across Nigeria. “Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements, 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,” he stated.
Governor Fubara concluded with a call for calm: “Although our state faces challenging times, I urge everyone to remain composed and go about their lawful activities as we continue to do everything within our power to fulfill our responsibilities to the people.”
