Rivers Crisis Worsens As Fubara, Wike’s Camps Fight Harder

The crisis in Rivers State intensified yesterday with significant developments suggesting no immediate resolution.

The Amaewhule-led House loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, in its first session following last week’s Court of Appeal ruling affirming their positions, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-present this year’s budget or face sanctions.

Meanwhile, the Oko-Jumbo-led three lawmakers, meeting at the Government House, screened and confirmed Mr. Emmanuel Onengiye-Ofori Frank-Fubara, who was swiftly sworn in as Finance Commissioner by Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

A Rivers High Court granted an injunction barring the Chief Judge and the Clerk of the House of Assembly from engaging with the 27 lawmakers. These lawmakers convened at the Assembly Quarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, rejecting the recognition given to the Oko-Jumbo-led faction and detailing Governor Fubara’s constitutional breaches.

The Amaewhule-led lawmakers reiterated their seven-day ultimatum for Governor Fubara to re-present the 2024 Appropriation Bill. They accused Fubara of violating the 1999 Constitution and court judgments, particularly Section 121 regarding the budget presentation and Section 192(2) concerning the inauguration of State Executive Council members as commissioners.

Additionally, they charged Fubara with breaching Section 7(1) of the Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, by appointing unelected individuals to manage the 23 local government councils, thus disobeying constitutional and judicial mandates.

Amaewhule criticized the governor’s transactions with the three suspended Assembly members, branding their legislative activities as null and void per the Court of Appeal’s judgment. He argued that Fubara’s actions constituted gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The Leader of the House, Major Jack, presented the Court of Appeal’s judgment, while the Chairman of the House Committee on Education submitted the Report on the Rivers State Education (Return of Schools) (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers, during their session, confirmed Frank-Fubara as a commissioner. Frank-Fubara, hailing from Abonnema Town in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, has practiced law for 26 years.

A High Court issued an interim injunction barring the Chief Judge of Rivers and the Clerk of the House of Assembly from interacting with the 27 lawmakers. The court directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending further hearings.

The Martins Amaewhule-led House outlined Governor Fubara’s constitutional violations, emphasizing that public funds could not be spent without an approved budget. They urged the governor to present the budget within seven days, citing multiple constitutional infractions and judicial disobedience as grounds for gross misconduct and abuse of office.

In response, Governor Fubara, during a meeting with Ikwerre stakeholders, asserted his gratitude and commitment to addressing the political crisis with caution and respect for the constitution. He emphasized his administration’s dedication to development projects in the Ikwerre local government areas and maintained that his actions were guided by respect and proper upbringing.