ACJHR hails Fubara’s resolve on Supreme Court judgement

The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR) has lauded Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s resolve on the recent Supreme Court judgment, which he graciously accepted to implement after carefully reviewing its Certified True Copy (CTC).

ACJHR, in a statement by its coordinator, commended the impressive state broadcast delivered by Governor Fubara on Sunday, which proved the qualities of a statesman and mature leader committed to the rule of law as well as democratic principles.

The centre said that by allowing the rule of law to prevail and starting the implementation of the judgment of the apex court, the governor has distinguished himself as the kind of leader Nigeria needs at this stage of its democratic journey.

It said that when the governor’s legal team finally obtains the CTC by Friday, March 7, 2025, the people of Rivers and Nigerians entirely would be further intimated on the next positive steps of Fubara with regard to the judgment, for the overall interest of the people he is leading, as well as upholding the sanctity of the Constitution to which he had sworn to protect.

According to the centre, if all Nigerian leaders had the disposition of Fubara, the country would have been a better place where the law is supreme and not personal ambition, idiosyncrasies, or egocentrism.

He said, “The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR), having listened to and watched the state broadcast by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, elects to commend him for his statesmanship and commitment to legality, which is uncommon amongst the ruling class.

“We stand with the governor in this trying moment, which has brought out his leadership qualities of upholding Nigeria’s Constitution, which he swore to protect despite outright provocation and frustration by assumed ‘powers that be.’ His gentlemanly and statesmanlike disposition has earned him our respect and that of all men of conscience and goodwill.

“What would have happened if other leaders were in his shoes can be best imagined! But, on the contrary, Fubara, rather than desecrating the law and the highest court in the land—which many who are now celebrating the Supreme Court judgment would have done—expressed commitment to implementing the judgment.

“Even before waiting for the CTC to be obtained on Friday, March 7, 2025, the governor has taken a step further by directing the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

“The governor further directed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025.

“For those who may not be aware, the Friday judgment of the apex court declared the local government election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.

“The Court equally barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other agencies from releasing funds to the government of Rivers State.

“All these, the governor said, although the State Government disagrees with the judgments, it is bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government, adding that since inception, his administration has conducted the affairs of government within the framework of the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law.”