JUST IN: Pro-Wike Lawmakers In Tight Corner, Cannot Enforce Ban On Fubara, Party Gives Details

The Action Peoples Party (APP), a prominent opposition party, has mocked the 27 pro-Nyesom Wike lawmakers in Rivers State for their directive to Governor Sim Fubara to halt spending from the state’s consolidated revenue.

The APP described the resolution as a misguided attempt by “impostors struggling for political gain.”

In a strongly worded statement signed by its national deputy publicity secretary, Emeka Uwazurike, and released to journalists in Abuja, the APP dismissed the resolution as legislative overreach by former lawmakers whose seats have been declared vacant by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The APP emphasized that the 2024 fiscal year budget of N800 billion, which the dismissed lawmakers demanded be re-presented, was already duly passed by the constitutionally recognized Edison Ehie-led Rivers State House of Assembly. Re-presenting this budget, which is now an Act of the State Assembly, would constitute a gross constitutional breach and disservice to the people of Rivers State.

A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, had asked Governor Fubara to stop spending funds from the state’s consolidated funds after he ignored their seven-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 budget.

In response, the APP urged Governor Fubara to ignore the order, asserting that the Governor should not take directives from former lawmakers who have been legally dismissed.

The APP stated, “As long as the order dismissing the Martin Amaewhule-led group remains in effect, the 27 members, including their speaker, Martin Amaewhule, remain sacked. The governor has no obligation to engage with this group. Ignoring them is essential; otherwise, it sets a precedent where any unauthorized group could issue baseless directives to the governor.”

The party accused the resolution of being a calculated attempt to distract the governor from his commendable work in the state.

“We urge the governor to continue his excellent work in the state unhindered,” the APP stated. “As an opposition party, we will continue to fight against injustice, and this is one injustice we will not tolerate.”