Lere Olayinka, the Special Adviser on Public Communication to Minister Nyesom Wike, has said that Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara does not have the power to decide who runs local governments in the state.

Olayinka pointed out that the Nigerian Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy state that only democratically elected chairmen and councillors can run local governments—not state governors.

His statement came after Governor Fubara directed all 23 local government chairmen in Rivers State to hand over their positions to the Heads of Local Government Administration. The governor took this step following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the local government elections held on October 5, 2024.

On Sunday, March 2, Governor Fubara said in a state-wide broadcast that local government Heads of Personnel Management would oversee council affairs until new elections are conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. He assured that his administration would comply fully with the Supreme Court’s decision.

However, Olayinka disagreed with Fubara’s directive. He argued that only the Rivers State House of Assembly has the authority to extend the tenure of the local government chairmen and councillors.

He stated, “Governors can no longer decide who should run local governments. The Constitution and the Supreme Court ruling clearly state that only elected chairmen and councillors should be in charge. If their tenure ends, the House of Assembly must decide whether to extend it, not the governor.”

Olayinka also referenced Section 135(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to extend the President’s tenure in certain situations, suggesting a similar rule applies to local governments.

This dispute highlights the ongoing power struggle in Rivers State over local government administration following the Supreme Court’s decision.