Governor Siminalayi Fubara
By Victory Oghene
The Rivers State government has assured residents that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will act in the best interests of the state following the Supreme Court’s ruling on matters concerning state funds and local government administration.
In a statement issued shortly after the judgment, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, said the government is yet to receive full details of the ruling.
However, he emphasised that the administration would carefully review the implications before making any decisions.
“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,” Johnson stated.
“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.”
Johnson urged Rivers residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the government seeks clarity on the ruling.
He also clarified that the ongoing case concerning the defection of Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers remains unresolved before the Federal High Court and was not part of the Supreme Court judgment.
The statement read, “We believe that the determination of the main issue of 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.
“We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear state,” Johnson adeed.
The Supreme Court had nullified the October 5, 2024, Rivers local government election in a unanimous ruling delivered on Friday.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court nullified the Rivers local government election, in which the Action Peoples Party (APP) won all 23 chairmanship positions.
Loyalists of Fubara had contested the election on the platform of APP due to their lack of control over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures in Rivers.
However, the apex court held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgment, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.
Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that voter registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.
