Political Standoff: Rivers Governor Fubara Faces Growing Rift with Lawmakers As Meeting Nears”

Uncertainty surrounds the scheduled meeting between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the members of the House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. Despite being set for today at the Government House in Port Harcourt, as of last night, the lawmakers had yet to confirm their attendance. This marks the governor’s first formal outreach to the Assembly members since the Supreme Court’s decision on the state’s financial allocations, which recognized Amaewhule as the Speaker.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In an invitation dated March 7, signed by the Secretary to the Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Fubara scheduled the meeting for 10 a.m. and addressed Amaewhule as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

It has been nearly two years since Fubara and the 27 lawmakers have met, following the governor’s previous recognition of a four-member Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Fubara had also ordered the demolition of the Assembly complex and declared the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although the governor presented the 2024 and 2025 budgets to the four-member Assembly, the Supreme Court ruled that the 2025 budget must be re-presented to the full House. The lawmakers issued a 48-hour ultimatum for compliance, which expired last week.

In his invitation, Fubara stated that the meeting was in line with his March 5 letter acknowledging the Supreme Court ruling, which outlined four main agenda items:

1. Provision of a suitable space for Assembly sittings
2. Payment of all outstanding allowances and remuneration to Assembly members
3. Presentation of the budget and other related matters
4. Any other issue necessary for the state’s progress

However, sources close to the lawmakers have indicated that they may not attend the meeting unless the governor first complies with the Supreme Court judgment by re-presenting the 2025 budget. One source expressed frustration with the governor’s failure to act within the 48-hour deadline previously set by the lawmakers.