Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed that the Heads of Local Government Administration (LGA) immediately assume control of the state’s 23 local government areas. This comes in anticipation of fresh elections to be held by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The governor further instructed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the Heads of LGA by Monday, March 3, 2025. Fubara announced this decision during a statewide broadcast at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening, following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
This marks the first public statement from the governor since last Friday’s Supreme Court decision, which nullified the local government elections previously conducted by RSIEC and upheld the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
In his speech, Fubara explained that the action was necessary following the Supreme Court’s outlawing of caretaker arrangements within local government systems in Nigeria.
“In compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the administration of the 23 local councils until fresh elections are conducted by the RSIEC,” he stated.
Despite expressing disagreement with the court’s verdict, Fubara emphasized that his government would abide by the ruling as a law-abiding administration. “We are committed to conducting government affairs in accordance with the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law,” he added.
The governor further noted that his legal team expects to receive the certified true copy of the judgment by March 7, 2025, and assured the public that it would be studied carefully for appropriate action.
While acknowledging the state’s current challenges due to the court’s pronouncement, Fubara urged the people of Rivers State to remain calm and continue with their daily activities peacefully as the government works to ensure effective governance.
