S'Court verdict: Fubara agrees to conduct fresh council election

The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has agreed for fresh local government elections to be held following a ruling by the Supreme Court on political disputes in the state and also the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system in Nigeria.

This was as he ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) 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 (RSIEC).

Fubara, who spoke during a statewide broadcast on Sunday, directed the outgoing council chairmen to handover to the heads of local government administrations by Monday.

He said, “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 their legitimate daily activities as we continue to do everything in our power to advance our responsibilities to the citizens.”