The political crisis in Rivers State deepened on Monday as the State House of Assembly, dominated by lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
The directive was announced during a plenary session in Port Harcourt, coming in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that further complicated the ongoing power tussle in the state.
Governor Fubara, in a statewide broadcast on Sunday, acknowledged the apex court’s verdict, which nullified the local government elections conducted in October 2024. However, he expressed disagreement with the ruling, stating, “Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.”
Fubara assured the people of Rivers State that his administration has always operated within the confines of the Constitution, emphasizing, “While we are not above mistakes because we are human, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.”
He further stated that the state government would study the court’s decisions upon receiving certified copies and implement them accordingly. In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling against caretaker arrangements, Fubara directed Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the 23 local government areas until fresh elections are conducted.
“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.
The governor also instructed outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the new administrators by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s ruling has dealt a significant blow to Fubara’s administration. On Friday, the apex court placed restrictions on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies, preventing them from disbursing funds to the Rivers State Government until previous court orders were fully complied with.
The five-member panel, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, ruled that Fubara’s actions—particularly his decision to present the state’s budget to a four-member assembly—were unconstitutional and a blatant disregard of judicial orders. The court also dismissed Fubara’s appeal against the legitimacy of the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, reinforcing that the legislature must be properly constituted.
Additionally, the apex court criticized Fubara’s alleged role in the defection of 28 lawmakers, calling it an authoritarian move aimed at weakening the assembly.
It also condemned the demolition of the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex, describing it as an abuse of executive power meant to suppress the legislature.
