Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed all outgoing local government chairmen to transfer power to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) by Monday, March 3, 2025. This decision follows last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling, which nullified the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In a statewide broadcast from Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening, Fubara addressed the judgment and announced immediate measures to ensure continuity in governance at the local level. He instructed the HLGAs to assume control of the 23 local government areas until fresh elections are conducted.
Fubara noted, “Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, 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 the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.”
He further instructed, “I direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3rd March, 2025.”
Although the governor expressed disagreement with the Supreme Court’s ruling, he stated that his administration remains committed to upholding the law. He noted that the government would study the full judgment and implement necessary changes accordingly.
“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.
“Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
“While we are not above mistakes because we are humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
“Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgements may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.
“I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgements, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the state forward.”
The governor regretted that with the pronouncements of the court, the state appears to be back in trying times, but quickly called on the people and residents of the state to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities while the government continues to do everything in its power to advance good governance to the citizens.
He said, “Although our dear state seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens.”
