- Fubara dismisses impeachment fears, awaits Supreme Court judgment details.
- Rivers Elders warn against reconciling with Wike after unfavorable ruling.
- Governor orders LG chairmen to step down, fueling political tensions.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed concerns over a possible impeachment following the Supreme Court judgment that shifted the balance of power to lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the apex court, in its ruling on Friday, upheld the legitimacy of the 27 lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule and directed the Federal Government to withhold financial allocations to Rivers State until Fubara presents the budget to the pro-Wike legislators. The court also nullified the local government elections conducted last year.
Despite the verdict, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, maintained that there was no threat to Fubara’s administration.
“Afraid of what? The governor has the mandate of Rivers people. He will obey the law and respect the sanctity of the judiciary,” Johnson said in an interview. He noted that the government would await the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before making any decisions regarding the budget.
Meanwhile, Rivers Elders, who have backed Fubara since his fallout with Wike in 2023, have cautioned against seeking reconciliation with the ex-governor. High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the Rivers Elders Forum, stated that the state “will not beg anybody” despite the unfavorable ruling.
Fubara Directs LG Takeover
In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Fubara ordered the 23 local government chairmen elected last year to vacate office by Monday, directing the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control.
“The Supreme Court has outlawed caretaker arrangements in local governments. Therefore, I direct the HLGAs to take over pending fresh elections,” he declared.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to obeying court rulings but stressed that they would carefully study the CTC of the judgment upon receipt, expected by March 7.
There is growing tension in the state as ousted local government chairmen under Wike’s administration signal their intention to return to office. The Amaewhule-led Assembly had previously extended their tenure by six months, bypassing Fubara’s authority.
Former Ikwerre LGA chairman, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, said, “By the Supreme Court ruling, I remain chairman. However, we will wait for the Assembly’s pronouncement.”
With political uncertainty deepening, Rivers residents are bracing for further developments in the ongoing power struggle.
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