The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joseph Johnson has said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will act in the people’s best interest after studying the supreme court judgment.
According to a statement released on Friday in reacting to the verdict, the commissioner said the state government is yet to receive the full details of the apex court verdict
On Friday , Insight Media reports that the apex court has affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.
The same court also ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers state house of assembly and other elected members to resume sitting immediately.
The supreme court also dismissed the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024 stating that the election does not align with electoral act.
In the statement, the commissioner said the state government would act after studying the judgment.
He said: “We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state,” the statement reads.
“At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.
“Though we have not gotten the details of the judgment from our legal team, we enjoin Rivers people to remain calm and law-abiding and go about our legitimate businesses as we seek clarity on the judgment.
“We believe that the determination of the main issue of the defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court as it is pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.”
Johnson added that Gov Fubara remains committed to protecting the best interest of the state and the rule of law in “all matters” affecting Rivers.
