The political crisis in Rivers State is deepening with the 27 members of the state House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of refusing to implement the Supreme Court’s judgment on the 2025 budget re-presentation.
The lawmakers asserted that despite the apex court’s ruling, which required the governor to re-present the budget, he had not made any effort to comply. They also denied receiving any formal correspondence from the governor regarding the matter.
The controversy escalated last Friday when visual reports suggested that the governor was prevented from entering the Assembly complex after sending an official request to present the budget. However, the lawmakers challenged Fubara to provide proof that such a request was ever received.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the House Committee on Information Chairman, Enemi George, said, “If the governor indeed sent a letter, let him show an acknowledged copy. As far as we know, no such letter reached the Assembly.”
Despite the dispute, a letter from the Secretary to the State Government, dated March 7, invited the lawmakers to a meeting with the governor on March 10 to discuss the budget presentation and other key issues, including the provision of a suitable space for legislative sittings and the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances for the lawmakers.
Governor Playing to the Gallery
The lawmakers argued that the governor’s actions were an attempt to manipulate public opinion. According to them, Fubara’s purported attempt to present the budget was misleading and intended to paint the Assembly in a bad light.
George said, “The governor stopped at the gate of the Assembly complex, granted an interview, and claimed he had sent a letter notifying us of his visit. However, no such letter was received by the House.”
He further chastised Fubara’s aides for allegedly sending the letter via WhatsApp, calling it unprofessional. “Government matters cannot be conducted through WhatsApp messages. That is embarrassing.”
George insisted that the entire episode was a political stunt. “It is now clear that if any letter was written at all, it was meant for the public, not the legislature. The aim was to create a false narrative and set the public against us.”
The lawmakers also accused the governor of refusing to cooperate with them after the Supreme Court’s ruling. “We wrote to the governor, urging him to re-present the budget for quick passage so that the state could access withheld federal funds. Unfortunately, he ignored our request,” George said.
Lawmakers Allege Intimidation
According to George, efforts by the Assembly to work with the governor were repeatedly rebuffed. He alleged that Assembly staff members who attempted to deliver letters to the Government House were harassed.
“Our letter requesting the re-presentation of the budget was rejected. Our staff members were brutalized at the Government House gate and sent back. We had to use a courier service, yet there was no response,” he stated.
He also claimed that the Supreme Court ruling invalidated the appointment of many commissioners in the state, yet the governor refused to submit a fresh list for legislative approval.
“Our request for a new list of commissioners was also ignored. Instead, the governor instructed ministries, agencies, and departments to cut off communication with the Assembly,” he said.
Legislature Not Appendage of Executive
George reminded the governor that the Assembly was an independent arm of government and not under his control.
“The Rivers State House of Assembly is not an extension of the governor’s office. We are not his subordinates. The Constitution guarantees our independence,” he asserted.
He quoted the Supreme Court’s statement that “a government cannot exist without all three arms—executive, legislature, and judiciary. Any attempt to suppress the legislature is an attack on democracy.”
George accused the governor of deliberately sidelining the Assembly to rule without legislative oversight. “The Supreme Court used strong words to describe the governor’s actions, calling them despotic. We hoped he would correct his ways, but that has not happened.”
He also warned that allowing one individual to hold the entire state hostage for personal reasons would be dangerous. “No one should be above the law. The governor must do the right thing to move the state forward.”
The Assembly spokesman lamented the hardships that lawmakers had endured due to the ongoing crisis.
“We have been through a lot. Our chamber was burned down, our complex was demolished, our allowances have been withheld for over a year, and our speaker’s residence was attacked,” he said.
Notwithstanding, he said they were willing to move forward in the interest of the state. “We are ready to let go of past grievances, but the governor must follow due process.”
He stressed that the political crisis should not be allowed to affect ordinary citizens. “Our pensioners need their payments. Our teachers must be paid. Public hospitals must continue to function. Governance cannot be held hostage because of political differences.”
Niger Delta Youths Request President’s Intervention
As the crisis persisted, the Pan-Niger Delta Youths Forum (PANDYEF) have called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore peace in Rivers State.
In a statement, PANDYEF spokesman Mazi Chika Art Adiele warned that the instability in the state could escalate if left unchecked.
“We appreciate President Tinubu’s previous efforts to calm the situation, but more needs to be done,” the statement read. “The political crisis has put Rivers State in a negative spotlight, and urgent action is required.”
The group expressed confidence in the president’s ability to resolve the matter and ensure lasting peace in the oil-rich state.
Women Back Governor’s Peace Efforts
Meanwhile, hundreds of women from Rivers State’s 23 local government areas gathered in Port Harcourt to express support for the governor’s peaceful approach to the crisis.
Under the platform of Rivers Women Unite for Sim (RWUS), they urged Fubara to remain calm despite opposition.
Former lawmaker Beatrice Awala, speaking at the event, said, “We are praying for peace, unity, and development. The governor must be allowed to do his job without unnecessary obstruction.”
She warned that women and children would suffer the most if the political crisis led to a breakdown of law and order. “We urge all parties to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal interests.”
Ogoni Leaders Working For Peace
Amid the political unrest, leaders from the Ogoni ethnic group called for unity among their people as they continued discussions with the federal government on the resumption of oil exploration in their region.
Following a meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja, Ogoni leaders agreed to hold town hall meetings across the four local government areas—Eleme, Gokana, Khana, and Tai—to hear grassroots concerns.
At a town hall meeting in Bori, House of Representatives member Dumnamene Dekor emphasized the importance of unity. “If we stand together, we will succeed. The president has given us an opportunity to discuss our concerns, and we must make the most of it.”
He praised National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for facilitating the negotiation process and urged all stakeholders to embrace dialogue.
Like 👍, Comment, share this article, and Follow us on our social media handles.
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
