The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct fresh elections for local government councils in the state.
The direction follows the Supreme Court verdict which invalidated the recently held LG elections in the state.
Fubara, who announced the decision in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, directed the Local Government chairmen elected that emerged through the now nullified elections to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration pending fresh elections. He also directed the chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Fubara said, “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.”
Adding, the Rivers helmsman said, “Although our dear state seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities.”
Read the full text Of Fubara’s broadcast below:
STATEWIDE BROADCAST BY THE GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA, GSSRS, ON SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 2025, ON THE RECENT JUDGMENTS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
- My dear people of Rivers State, 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 judgments may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.
- 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, 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.
- 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.
- Thank you, and may God bless Rivers State.
