Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people of the state that he will implement the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding the ongoing political crisis, despite his reservations about the ruling.
Addressing the state in a televised broadcast on Sunday, Fubara emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law, stating that while he disagreed with the judgment, his administration remained bound by its provisions.
“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,” he said.
As part of his response to the ruling, the governor directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of the 23 local government councils pending fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). He further instructed outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Citing the need for due process, Fubara stated that his legal team was reviewing the certified true copies of the judgment, expected to be available by March 7. He assured the people that the government would act accordingly once the full implications of the ruling were analyzed.
Acknowledging the heightened political tensions following the Supreme Court’s decision, which was seen as a victory for his estranged political ally, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Fubara urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
“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 as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders Council has called on Fubara and the 27 state lawmakers to ensure all actions taken align with constitutional provisions. In a statement, the council’s chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, congratulated the people of Rivers State on what he described as “well-rounded pronouncements” by the Supreme Court.
The council commended the resilience and patience of Rivers residents throughout the crisis, urging all stakeholders to embrace peace.
However, political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, strongly criticized the Supreme Court’s verdict, particularly its order for the withdrawal of local government allocations in Rivers State.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, Frank described the judgment as a “criminal usurpation” of the state’s funds, accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, of influencing the decision.
“From the illegal judgment that emerged from the Supreme Court against the Rivers State Government, the whole world knows that this is the most fraudulent ruling ever delivered in the history of Nigeria,” he alleged.
Frank further claimed that the ruling was politically motivated, intended to weaken Fubara’s government and pave the way for the opposition APC to take control of Rivers State.
As the situation unfolds, political observers continue to monitor the developments, with residents awaiting the next steps from the state government.
