River Information and Communication Commissioner Joseph Johnson said that National Governor Siminalayi Fubara will act in the best interest of the people after studying the Supreme Court decision.
In a statement responding to the judgment on Friday, February 28, the commissioner said the state government has not yet detailed the Supreme Court’s ruling.
On Friday, February 28, the Supreme Court confirmed a decision by the Federal High Court that banned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the federal accountants will allocate the statutory monthly to the River State. The Supreme Court also ordered the River State Capitol and other elected members to resume sitting positions. The faction led by Amaewhule is loyal to the federal capital’s territorial minister Nyesom Wike, and is also loyal to the state’s direct former governor. The Supreme Court also held local government elections in Rivers State on October 5, 2024 were invalid.
The commissioner said in a statement that the state government will take action after studying the judgment. “We have recorded in the media the report on the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on the State Funding of Rivers and the administration of local governments in the state,” the statement said. “At present, we are waiting to give a detailed introduction to the meaning of the judgment. We will carefully evaluate the situation and determine the next step in the best interests of the Rivers State and its people.
“Although we did not get the details of the judgment from the legal team, we asked the people of the river to remain calm and law-abiding and to conduct legal businesses where we seek judgments. We believe that the main issue of determining the defection of 27 legislators is not the Supreme Court, as it is pending in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
“Because the defector’s problem was not on the table before the learned judge, Amaf and 26 other legislators remained in their eyes until they defected to this issue.”
Johnson added that the state remains committed to protecting the best interests of the nation and the rule of law in “all matters” that affect the river.
