Tensions Rise As Rivers Lawmakers Hold Sitting Shortly After Snubbing Governor Fubara

A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured lawmakers seated in the chamber as Speaker Martin Amaewhule and other officials, carrying the mace, entered the hall.

Earlier, tensions flared at the Assembly complex when Fubara accused legislators of sealing off the premises to prevent him from laying the 2025 Appropriation Bill. The governor, who arrived early in the morning, expressed frustration over the blockade, stating that his repeated attempts—through phone calls and official letters—to reach Speaker Amaewhule and other lawmakers were ignored.

“I have tried several times to contact the Speaker and other members, but unfortunately, the gate is locked, and there is no indication that today’s proceedings will hold,” Fubara lamented.

He warned that failing to pass the budget would cripple governance and delay key projects essential for the state’s development.

A video of the incident, shared by Facebook user Prince Yemi Itodo, showed the Assembly complex under lock and key, with reports suggesting security operatives were withdrawn from the premises.

“This means the state could be run without an approved budget, leading to stalled development and financial mismanagement,” Itodo noted.

The blockade marks another chapter in the ongoing power tussle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, whose loyalists dominate the Assembly.

The crisis has drawn the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who recently urged both factions to implement a Supreme Court-backed political resolution to end the conflict. However, Wednesday’s events suggest that the struggle for control over the Rivers State government remains far from over.