Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has announced fresh local government elections following recent Supreme Court rulings on the state’s political crisis.
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Fubara said his administration disagrees with the judgments but remains committed to upholding the law.
He assured that once the certified true copies are received by March 7, his government will review and implement them accordingly.
“Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government,” he said.
As an interim measure, he directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the 23 LGAs until new elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
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He also ordered outgoing council chairmen to hand over by Monday, March 3.
“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,” Fubara stated.
The governor called for calm, urging residents to go about their daily activities while his administration works to stabilise the state.
“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,” he said.
Fubara’s directive comes amid heightened political tensions in Rivers as various factions await the full implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdicts and the scheduling of fresh local government elections.