By Gwurld4026 
Rivers State Government Responds to Supreme Court Decision
The Rivers State Government has acknowledged the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the state’s House of Assembly and local government administration. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, through the State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the administration is awaiting a detailed briefing on the judgment’s implications. The governor emphasized that any subsequent actions will prioritize the best interests of Rivers State and its residents.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reinstated Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. However, Governor Fubara noted that the issue of defection, which led to disputes over their status, remains pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and was not addressed in the Supreme Court’s decision.
In addition to the legislative matters, the Supreme Court halted further release of budgetary allocations to Rivers State until a valid Appropriation Act is passed by a legally constituted House of Assembly. The court also nullified the local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024, citing violations of relevant laws.
The Rivers State Government has urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding as it seeks clarity on the judgment and determines the appropriate course of action.
This development follows a political crisis in the state, stemming from a fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The discord led to a split in the state legislature, with 27 lawmakers aligning with Wike and three with Fubara.
Reacting to the judgment, Minister Wike commended the Supreme Court for its decisive stance, emphasizing the necessity of a properly constituted legislative body for the state’s governance.