The political crisis in Rivers State, Nigeria, deepened yesterday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the state’s House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, resumed hostilities over the presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill—an essential aspect of the recent Supreme Court judgment.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had urged Fubara to implement the court’s ruling without delay. However, tensions flared when the governor attempted to present the budget at the Assembly quarters, only to claim he was denied access—a claim the lawmakers refuted.
Addressing journalists outside the Assembly quarters, Fubara alleged that despite prior communication with Speaker Amaewhule, he and his team were denied entry.
“We believe that the interest of the people should come first. In view of the Supreme Court’s decision, we felt the need to comply immediately to safeguard the state’s economy and workers’ welfare. I informed the Speaker via WhatsApp that I would present the budget at 10 a.m., yet I was denied access,” Fubara stated.
He expressed disappointment over the lawmakers’ stance but maintained his willingness to resolve the matter whenever they were ready.
In a swift response, the lawmakers rejected Fubara’s allegations, describing them as misleading. The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, said the governor was being insincere, as there was no official communication about his visit.
George stated: “We were the ones who initially invited the governor to present his budget after the Supreme Court ruling. We even set a timeframe for urgent action. Despite our calls, he ignored us. Now, he turns around to claim we blocked him? This is pure political theatrics.”
He also dismissed a letter from the governor dated March 11, which surfaced on social media, arguing that the correct procedure requires the Assembly to officially acknowledge the letter before the governor appears.
Amid the controversy, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, weighed in, backing the lawmakers and dismissing Fubara’s claims.
“If you commit an offence that warrants impeachment, what’s wrong with that? It’s in the constitution,” Wike said in a television interview.
He accused Fubara of bypassing proper procedures and playing to the gallery, stating: “You can’t just show up and demand access without due notice. That’s not how governance works.”
Wike further alleged that Fubara had undermined the legislature, demolished the Assembly complex, and failed to consult lawmakers appropriately. He also dismissed reports of a planned local government election in Rivers State, calling the process flawed.
As the crisis intensifies, governance experts have urged both Fubara and Wike to find common ground. Strategic management expert Prof. Okey Ikechukwu cautioned that a winner-takes-all approach would destabilize the state.
“If either party insists on total victory, the conflict will only escalate. They must reach a compromise for the sake of Rivers people,” he advised.
