With the judgment of the Supreme Court on Friday over the lingering crisis rocking the politics of Rivers State, Governor Siminalaye Fubara, from all indications, has decided to obey the judgments
Governor Fubara while speaking on the matter said although he disagrees with the judgment but he will abide by it
He has therefore given a directive for the judgment to be implemented to the latter
The judgement addressed three fundamental issues
The first being the directive that the Central Bank of Nigeria should stop payment of all federal allocations to Rivers State
Secondly the apex court ordered that the 27 lawmakers who defected to the APC should be allowed to do their job pending the determination of the suit
The last judgment which was given on Friday has to do with the sack of all Local Government Chairmen recently elected in the State
Full Statement
STATE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA ON THE RECENT JUDGEMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT.
My dear people of Rivers State
1. We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear State.
2. Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
3. Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our constitution, due process and rule of law.
4. While we are not above mistakes because we are human, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberate to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
5. Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgments may be available to them Friday March 7, 2025.
6. I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgments, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward.
7. Furthermore, given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Personnel Management to immediately takeover the administration of the 23 Local Government Councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.
8. I further direct the outgoing local government Chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Personnel Management by Monday, March 3, 2025.
9. 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.
10. Thank you and God bless Rivers State.