The ruing of the Supreme Court last Thursday has rather divided the already sharply polarised polity, throwing Rivers State into more confusion. Supreme Court has granted full autonomy to local government, and abolished JAAC and the appointment of local government caretaker committees by governors. It said only democratically elected council administration is recognised by the constitution of Nigeria......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Many now scramble to understand what the ruling means to their different interests in a state where the control of the local councils has become the most important tool for survival and for the 2027 hot battle.
The ruling has thrown further conflict and confusion in both the FCT Minister’s camp and the Gov Sim Fubara camp as to what next to do.
The Supreme Court ruling barred state governments from accessing or tampering with the funds of local councils or putting caretaker committees. This may have provided clear direction in all other states but not so in Rivers State.
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What is unique about the Rivers case is because the Wike-backed local council chairmen and councilors have served out their tenure (June 17, 2024), but the Wike-backed House of Assembly faction extended their tenure by six months.
The Fubara camp is saying they do not qualify to benefit from the Supreme Court ruling, but their supporters are rejoicing that the Supreme Court had them in mind.
On the other hand, the Fubara camp is saying the ruling does not harm them because it did not award extra term to the outgone chairmen. They also said the ruling did not tamper with the advantage of influencing election of next chairmen who would still control the LGA funds through principal officers of the local councils appointable by the governor.
From all indications, more interpretations seem to be needed and the apex court may still have verdicts to deliver, arising from the present verdict.
This is said to be the crux of the matter.