The immediate past local government chairmen in Rivers State, who were removed by the Supreme Court on Friday, have complied with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) in their respective councils.
The Supreme Court had nullified the local government elections conducted on October 5, 2024, effectively removing the chairmen and councillors across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Following the ruling, Governor Fubara in a state broadcast on Sunday directed all affected officials to transfer power to the HLGAs to prevent any administrative vacuum.
By Monday (Today), handover processes were completed.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, the immediate past chairman, Ichemati Ezebunwo, handed over power to the head of local government administration, Clifford Paul.
A similar process took place in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Oyigbo, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, as well as other Local Government Areas.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the Government House Quarters, former Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Ichemati Ezebunwo, stated that neither he nor his supporters have been discouraged by the Supreme Court judgment that removed them from office.
He commended Governor Fubara for remaining steadfast despite political distractions and for continuing to implement people-oriented policies, such as the staff quarters project.
Ezebunwo emphasized that the people of Rivers State appreciate and support the Governor for prioritizing governance over political crises.
He further pledged unwavering support for Fubara’s re-election in 2027, citing the achievements of both the state and local government councils under his leadership.
