Rivers state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) 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 (RSIEC).
The governor also directed the outgoing local government council chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Governor Fubara, who gave the directive in a statewide broadcast in Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday evening, in response to the Supreme Court judgment, explained that the measure became imperative as a result of the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system in Nigeria.
In his words: “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.
“I further 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.”
The governor said that although his administration disagrees with the judgments, it is bound to obey the orders made therein by the court as a law-abiding government.
He further said, “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.”