• Rivers Assembly directs gov to present 2025 Budget within 48 hours
• LG bosses hand over to HLGAs following S’Court judgment
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has said he is not scared of anything, vowing to continuously lead the cause of good governance. According to the governor, the interest of Rivers remains a priority, even if it means paying the supreme sacrifice as he implements the Supreme Court judgment.
Meanwhile, the House of Assembly has written to the governor directing him to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours. Following the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the local council elections of October 5, 2025, council chairmen in Rivers have formally handed over to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs).
Fubara, while inaugurating the Rivers State Government House Staff Quarters, reconstructed by his administration, along Forces Avenue (opposite Government House), Port Harcourt, yesterday, said: “No matter how we are fooled in this state, it has got to a point where citizens of this state decide to take their destiny in their hands. In as much as I do not subscribe to violence, when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause of that decision.
“Let me say it again; I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office, but am I leaving yet?” His loyalists responded with a resounding “No”.
“I assure you that I will lead you with honour, respect and integrity, knowing that when I leave here, I would have questions to answer, if I am called upon 20 to 30 years from today. I want to be proud to defend my position. So, I thank you and assure you that I will not disappoint you.”
He noted that his “strength is in the supreme God and all Rivers people who love the state, and are interested in its progress and peace,” counselling them to know that there is honour and glory in fighting gallantly on the side of truth.
On the project, Fubara expressed delight that his administration had the foresight to conceive the project, execute it and, by the special grace of God, dedicate it to the glory of God for use by the workers.
Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, thanked the governor for embarking on the reconstruction of the project, and for tastefully furnishing the facility to make living comfortable for workers.
THE legislature’s letter was a resolution of the House during the 130th legislative day of Day 2 of the 10th Assembly, yesterday. According to the letter entitled ‘Resolutions Of The Rivers State Assembly Pursuant To The Judgment Of The Supreme Court Of Nigeria Delivered On Friday, February 28, 2025’, the Assembly’s decision is in response to the Supreme Court’s judgment, which ordered the stoppage of statutory federal allocations to the Rivers government and halting of spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill.
The Assembly also resolved to commence the process of amending the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018.
This move, according to them, aims to align the laws with the Electoral Act and pave the way for fresh local council elections in the state.
THE handover ceremony was held, yesterday, at various secretariats, in line with the governor’s directive in his Sunday broadcast.
The former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Council, Ezebunwo Ichemati, who handed over to the HLGA, Clifford Paul, reiterated his commitment to serving the state and expressed gratitude to the governor for the opportunity to serve.
The Supreme Court judgment of February 28, 2025, nullified the October local council election in Rivers, ordering fresh elections into the councils. Hence, Fubara directed the HLGAs to take over the administration of the 23 local councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
