- Governor Siminalayi Fubara directs Heads of Local Government Administration to take over 23 local government councils.
- The takeover is pending fresh elections by Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
- The move follows the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system.
- Outgoing local government chairmen are to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.
- The development is a result of recent Supreme Court judgments declaring the election of local government chairmen and councillors invalid.
The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 appropriation bill. This demand was made during the faction’s plenary session on Monday, amidst the ongoing political rift between Governor Fubara and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Interestingly, Governor Fubara had already signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law in January 2025, after it was passed by the rival faction of the house led by Victor Oko-Jumbo . However, the Amaewhule-led faction is insisting that the governor formally present the budget before them, citing the need for transparency and accountability.
This power struggle within the state’s legislature reflects the broader political tension between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike. The Amaewhule-led faction’s loyalty to Wike has created a deep divide in the legislature, with the rival faction supporting Governor Fubara.
The situation highlights the challenges of governance in Rivers State, where political rifts and power struggles can hinder the delivery of public services and the implementation of development projects.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced plans to conduct fresh elections for local government councils, following recent Supreme Court judgments. Despite disagreeing with the court rulings, Fubara’s administration is committed to upholding the rule of law .
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Fubara directed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the fresh elections. He also ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the governance of the 23 local government areas (LGAs) pending the elections .
Additionally, Fubara instructed the outgoing local government chairmen to hand over power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025. This move is seen as an interim measure to ensure continuity in governance .
Fubara’s administration expects to receive the certified true copies of the Supreme Court judgments by Friday, March 7, 2025, and will study and implement them accordingly. The governor has urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that his administration is working to stabilize the situation and continue delivering on its responsibilities.
