The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to comply with the Supreme Court's recent judgment declaring the use of caretaker committees to manage local government areas illegal. This call was made on Sunday, following the Supreme Court's ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government against the 36 states, as reported by Punch.
The 23 LG secretariats in Rivers State have been under police control since June 16, when the tenure of the elected chairmen ended. Although the chairmen sought to extend their terms by six months under a state Assembly law, Governor Fubara resisted and appointed caretaker committees. However, the police barred both the former chairmen and the new caretakers from accessing the secretariats.
Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chibuike Ikenga emphasized that the Supreme Court's decision must be respected. He accused Governor Fubara of habitually disregarding laws, court judgments, and constitutional provisions. Ikenga highlighted Fubara's defiance of a Court of Appeal judgment by insisting on recognizing his own appointees as the leadership of the House of Assembly.
He stated, “We are aware particularly in Rivers State that Governor Fubara does not obey laws, he doesn’t obey court judgments neither does he obey the constitutional prescriptions and provisions, so we will not be surprised.”