S’Court Verdict: We Disagree With The Judgments, But Will Obey Them –Fubara

By Daniel Dafe

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured the people of the oil-rich state that his administration will implement the Supreme Court’s verdict after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).

Fubara who spoke during a statewide broadcast on Sunday, said he disagrees with the judgment but will implement them.

His words: “Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.”

This followed the Friday judgment of the apex court, which declared the LG election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.

According to him, since inception, his administration has conducted the affairs of government within the framework of the constitution, due process and rule of law.

He continued: “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.

“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.”

He said further: “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.

Furthermore, he said that “given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system,” he directed 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.”

Continuing, he directed the outgoing local government Chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Personnel Management by Monday, March 3, 2025.

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He lamented that the state seems to be back in trying times, but urged everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about with their legitimate daily activities.

The Supreme Court, in another judgment on Friday, barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, the five-man panel of the court unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Fubara challenging the validity of the House of Assembly presided over by Martin Amaewhule as the Speaker.

In dismissing Fubara’s appeal, the court ordered Martin Amaewhule to resume sitting immediately with other elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.