In a statement issued shortly after a Supreme Court judgement, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Warisenibo Joe Johnson, said the government had yet to receive full details of the judgement.
He however emphasized that the administration would carefully review the implications before making any decisions.
“We have taken note of reports in the media regarding the recent judgement of the Supreme Court concerning the funds of Rivers State and the administration of local governments,” Johnson stated.
“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.”
Johnson urged Rivers residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the government sought clarity on the ruling.
He also clarified that the ongoing case concerning the decampment of Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers remained unresolved before the Federal High Court and was not part of the Supreme Court judgment.
The statement read, “We believe that the determination of the main issue of defection (sic) 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 (sic) 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 (sic) comes before them.
“We assure you that we remain committed to upholding our mandate to protect the best interest and the rule of law in all matters affecting our dear state,” Johnson added.
The Supreme Court had nullified the October 5, 2024, Rivers Local Government Election in a unanimous ruling delivered yesterday.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court nullified the election in which the Action Peoples Party (APP) won all 23 chairmanship positions.
Loyalists of Fubara had contested the election on the platform of APP due to their lack of control over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structures in Rivers State.
However, the apex court held that the election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
Justice Jamilu Tukur, in the lead judgement, agreed with the appellant, the All Progressives Congress (APC), that the conditions precedent were not complied with before the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) held the election.
Justice Tukur held that there was no evidence that voter registration continued until 90 days before the election and that the requisite notices were issued as required by law.
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