Saturday, March 1, 2025 - 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.
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