Finally, Gov. Fubara Bows to Supreme Court, Shakes Up Rivers Local Governments

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has taken a decisive step following the recent Supreme Court ruling on the state's lingering political crisis. In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Fubara directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately take over the 23 local government councils, effectively ending the tenure of caretaker chairmen.

Fubara acknowledged that while his administration disagrees with the Supreme Court's judgment, it remains bound by the ruling as a law-abiding government. He assured Rivers residents that his legal team would obtain and review the certified true copy of the judgment by March 7, 2025, and that his government would implement its implications in full.

The governor's directive follows the court's stance against caretaker committees in the local government system. He insisted that governance in the state must align with the Constitution, stating that only legally elected officials should oversee local councils.

"As a government, we have always operated within the confines of the law. We are not above mistakes, but we have never deliberately undermined the rule of law,ÔÇØ Fubara said.

To this end, he ordered outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the respective HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.

Acknowledging the growing political tension in the state, Fubara called for calm and urged citizens to go about their daily activities peacefully. He reassured Rivers people that his administration remains committed to governance and will continue to deliver on its responsibilities to the people.

The development signals a new phase in Rivers State's political power struggle, with analysts predicting fresh battles over control of the local councils ahead of the next elections to be conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).