Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the immediate transfer of local government administration to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday.
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Governor Fubara announced that HLGAs will oversee the administration of the 23 local government councils until fresh elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The directive aligns with the Supreme Court’s decision, which nullified caretaker arrangements in Nigeria’s local government system.
“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 RSIEC,” Fubara stated.
He further instructed outgoing local government chairmen to officially hand over power to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Although the Rivers State government disagrees with the Supreme Court’s ruling, Fubara affirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the law. “We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments regarding aspects of the political disputes in our State. While we may not agree with these judgments, we are bound to obey the orders as a law-abiding government,” he said.
Governor Fubara assured residents that his legal team is reviewing the court’s verdict and expects to obtain certified true copies of the judgments by Friday, March 7, 2025. “Upon receipt of the certified judgments, we shall study their implications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward,” he added.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by the court’s pronouncement, the Governor called for calm and urged citizens to continue their daily activities peacefully. “Although our dear State seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and go about their legitimate activities as we continue to prioritize good governance,” he stated.
The directive marks a significant shift in Rivers State’s local government administration, underscoring the importance of constitutional governance and adherence to judicial decisions.
