In a statewide broadcast on March 2, 2025, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers
State addressed the recent Supreme Court judgment that nullified the October 5,
2024, local government elections. While expressing disagreement with the ruling,
Governor Fubara affirmed his administration’s commitment to uphold the law by
complying with the court’s decision.
He directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to assume immediate
control of the 23 local government councils, pending the conduct of fresh elections
by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. Outgoing chairmen were
instructed to hand over authority by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Governor Fubara called on citizens to remain calm and continue their daily
activities, assuring them of the government's dedication to fulfilling its
responsibilities.
Author: Tiffany Bright
Supreme Court Nullifies Rivers State LG Elections
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has nullified the local government elections held in
Rivers State on October 5, 2024. A five-member panel unanimously ruled that the
election was conducted in violation of relevant laws.
In the lead judgment, Justice Jamilu Tukur agreed with the All Progressives
Congress (APC) that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC)
failed to meet the necessary legal conditions before conducting the election.
Specifically, the court found no evidence that voter registration continued until 90
days before the election, nor that the required notices were properly issued.
Former Guinean Prime Minister Jailed for Corruption
A special court in Guinea has sentenced former Prime Minister Ibrahima Kassory
Fofana to five years in prison for corruption and embezzlement of public funds. He
was also fined 2 billion Guinean francs ($230,000) for misappropriating 15 billion
Guinean francs ($1.7 million) from social welfare programs, including COVID-19
relief funds.
Fofana, who served as prime minister from 2018 until the 2021 military coup, has
been in detention since April 2022. He denied the charges, calling them a political
witch hunt. His trial was prolonged due to health issues, and his repeated requests
to seek medical treatment abroad were denied.
The case is part of a broader crackdown by Guinea’s military-led government on
officials from the administration of former President Alpha Condé.
Senegal Signs Peace Deal with Separatists, But Challenges Remain
Senegal has signed a peace deal with the Movement of Democratic Forces of
Casamance (MFDC), a separatist rebel group fighting for independence in the
Casamance region since the 1980s. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announced the
agreement during a visit to Guinea-Bissau, emphasizing its importance in ensuring
lasting peace.
The deal includes a presidential pardon for imprisoned rebels and offers amnesty
and reintegration opportunities for others. However, analysts warn that the
agreement does not include all rebel factions and fails to address the root causes of
the conflict, such as economic neglect and limited development in Casamance. Past
peace deals have also struggled to end the violence in this historically marginalized
region.
Despite these challenges, the Senegalese government views the agreement as a
crucial step towards stability in a region home to 1.6 million people.