Drama As APC-Dominated Rivers Assembly Threatens Fubara, Overrides His Power

The APC-dominated Rivers State House of Assembly has, for the third time in three months, defied the approval of Governor Siminialayi Fubara.

In March, the assembly voted against Fubara to enact the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Service Commission Law.

They took the same course of action in April by passing the local government amendment bill into law despite Fubara’s refusal to give his assent.

On Monday, the lawmakers ratified the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into Law and warned of stern repercussions against the Governor “if he continues to flout the laws of the state”.

The house stated that it acted in accordance with Section 100 (5) of the 1999 Constitution and with a two-thirds majority vote, passed the bill into law.

The lawmakers had initially passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024, and sent it to the Governor for assent, which he rejected.

Discussing the bill, the speaker, Martin Amaewhule, explained that it aims to safeguard taxpayers’ money and ensure it is not squandered on frivolous and dubious contracts.

Amaewhule lamented a scenario where due process is disregarded, contracts awarded without legal backing, and the state being run in a “dictatorial panache”.

He further stated that despite “all the malfeasance”, the house would uphold the laws of the state and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

However, he asserted that the house would not stand idly by and watch the Governor violate laws.

In another development, the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government, Hon. Ignatius Onwuka, presented a preliminary Report on the petition by two Local Government Chairmen. He highlighted the plight of Emohua Local Government Council staff, who, he said, have not been paid salaries for two months due to the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission’s directive to those responsible for signing necessary documents.

Hon. Onwuka labeled the Acting Chairman as an imposter, emphasizing that such a position is not recognized by law in the State.

Addressing the Report, the Speaker criticized what he described as the defiance of the official who portrays himself as the Acting Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, stating that it is the outcome of administrative lawlessness promoted by Fubara.

The Speaker underscored that the House would not sit passively and witness the suffering of Emohua Local Government Council staff, and consequently resolved to instruct the Committee to summon the Commission’s Secretary. He noted that if the Secretary fails to appear before the Committee, the House will exercise its authority by issuing a warrant of arrest.