Fubara Implements Supreme Court Ruling, Orders Council Chairpersons to Vacate Office

In a decisive move to comply with a recent Supreme Court judgement, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has directed all 23 local government council chairpersons to vacate their offices and hand over administrative control to the heads of local government administration by Monday, March 3, 2025. The directive, announced during a statewide broadcast on Sunday evening, marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing political crisis that has gripped the oil-rich state for over a year.

The Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling delivered on Friday, February 28, 2025, nullified the local government elections conducted by the Fubara administration on October 5, 2024, which had seen candidates loyal to the governor secure victory in 22 of the 23 council areas.

The apex court also invalidated the use of caretaker committees to manage local councils, ordered the reinstatement of 27 pro-Wike lawmakers led by Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Rivers State House of Assembly, and mandated Governor Fubara to re-present the state’s 2025 budget to the restored lawmakers. Additionally, the court halted the release of federal allocations to Rivers State until the budget is lawfully enacted under Amaewhule’s leadership.

In his address, Governor Fubara acknowledged the weight of the Supreme Court’s decision, stating, “Although we disagree with the judgement, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.” He expressed regret that the ruling appeared to plunge Rivers State “back into trying times” but urged citizens to remain calm and continue their daily activities peacefully. “We have conducted the affairs of this state within the framework of the constitution, though we admit we’ve made mistakes—not deliberately,” he added.
The governor’s directive for council chairpersons to step down comes in response to the court’s explicit ban on caretaker arrangements, a measure Fubara’s administration had previously relied upon amid the political turmoil. “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,” Fubara declared. He further instructed the outgoing chairpersons to formally relinquish power by Monday, ensuring a smooth transition.

Fubara revealed that his legal team had applied for the certified true copies (CTCs) of the Supreme Court judgements, expected to be available by Friday, March 7, 2025. “Upon receipt, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the state forward,” he assured, signaling his administration’s intent to fully comply despite its reservations.

Recall that fhe Supreme Court’s ruling stems from a protracted political feud between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The conflict, which escalated after Wike’s loyalists in the state assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in late 2023, has split the Rivers State House of Assembly into two factions and triggered multiple legal battles. The apex court’s recognition of Amaewhule’s faction as the legitimate assembly effectively reverses Fubara’s earlier efforts to sideline the pro-Wike lawmakers, including his presentation of the 2024 budget to a rival four-member faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Political analysts predict that the implementation of this judgement could deepen tensions in Rivers State, particularly as the Fubara administration navigates the loss of federal allocations and prepares for fresh council elections. The outgoing chairpersons, most of whom were aligned with Wike, have yet to publicly respond to the directive, leaving open the possibility of further resistance.
For now, Governor Fubara has called for unity and patience.