Rivers LG chairmen hand over to HLGAs after Supreme Court judgment

Following the Supreme Court judgment that nullified the local government council elections of October 5, council chairmen in Rivers State have formally handed over to the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs).

The handover ceremony was held on Monday at various secretariats in line with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s directive, issued during his Sunday broadcast.

Ezebunwo, the outgoing Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government, handed over to Comrade Clifford Paul, the HLGA of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.

In a statement, Ezebunwo reiterated his commitment to serving the state and expressed gratitude to the Governor for the opportunity to serve.

Similarly, Brain Gokpa, the outgoing Chairman of Eleme Local Government, handed over to the Head of LG Administration at Ogale headquarters of the local government.

Gokpa urged the HLGA to ensure that the local government secretariat project is funded and that the evacuation of waste is sustained.

The immediate past Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area also handed over to the Head of Local Government Administration, calling for calm amidst the Supreme Court verdict.

Recall that the Supreme Court judgment, delivered on February 28, 2025, nullified the election of the local government chairmen and councillors in Rivers State, ordering fresh elections into the councils.

Governor Fubara had directed the HLGAs to take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).