Joseph Johnson, commissioner for information and communication in Rivers, says Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, will act in the people’s best interest after studying the supreme court judgment.
In a statement issued on Friday, February 28, reacting to the verdict, the commissioner said the state government is yet to have the full details of the apex court’s ruling.
On Friday, February 28, the Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state. The apex court also ordered the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers state house of assembly and other elected members to resume sitting. The Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers assembly is loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and immediate former governor of the state. The supreme court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.
In the statement, the commissioner said the state government would act after studying the judgment. “We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgment of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments in the state,” the statement reads. “At this time, we are awaiting a detailed briefing on the implications of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next steps to take in the best interest of Rivers State and its people.
“Though we have not gotten the details of the judgment from our legal team, we enjoin Rivers people to remain calm and law-abiding and go about our legitimate businesses as we seek clarity on the judgment. We believe that the determination of the main issue of the defection of the 27 lawmakers is a matter not before the Supreme Court as it is pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Since the issue of defection wasn’t on the table before the learned Justices, in their eyes, Amaewhule and the 26 others are still operating as lawmakers until that matter of defection comes before them.”
Johnson added that the state remains committed to protecting the best interest of the state and the rule of law in “all matters” affecting Rivers.
