Lere Olayinka, the Special Adviser on Public Communication to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has ridiculed Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara following the recent Supreme Court judgment against his administration.
Olayinka claimed that Fubara is “already seeing spirits” after the court’s decision, referencing a past warning from former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. During Fubara’s 2023 inauguration, Fayose had cautioned him against challenging Wike, urging him to “see only what he is expected to see.”
Taking to his Facebook page, Olayinka mocked Fubara, saying, “He is seeing spirits already. Fayose warned him.”
The Supreme Court recently ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold federal allocations to Rivers State until Governor Fubara complies with legal requirements. The ruling mandates the release of funds only when a lawful Appropriation Law is passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, the court also directed the 27 defected lawmakers to resume their duties immediately. Additionally, the court invalidated the tenure of the 23 local government chairmen, declaring the October 5, 2024, election that brought them into office void for violating Section 150 of the Electoral Act.
The ongoing feud between Wike and Fubara escalated after 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This led to their seats being declared vacant and the removal of Amaewhule as Speaker by Fubara’s supporters.
In response to the court’s decision, Governor Fubara has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take over the administration of the 23 local councils. He instructed the outgoing chairmen to officially hand over to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
During a statewide broadcast from Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Fubara defended his actions, emphasizing that they align with the Supreme Court’s directive against caretaker committees in local government administration.
The political crisis in Rivers State continues to deepen, with both factions maintaining firm stances despite the Supreme Court’s intervention.